 | The Political Economy of Aid and Accountability: The Rise and Fall of Budget Support in Tanzania Subjects: Politics & International Relations; Social Sciences; Comparative Politics; International Politics; International Relations; Public Administration & Management; Sociology & Social Policy; African Politics; Foreign Policy; Global Governance; Public Policy; Political Sociology; The provision of aid is increasingly under scrutiny with increasing demands for results. This raises the question: what are our expectations from aid and are they realistic? Too often accountability is argued for without questioning if what is understood by the term is relevant or applicable. The Political Economy of Aid and Accountability: The Rise and Fall of Budget Support in Tanzania explores the real meaning of accountability and argues for a new approach to aid more relevant to recipient countries. Offering fresh, insightful ideas Helen Tilley presents a contemporary theory of accountability through a case study of the delivery of general budget support in Tanzania. By considering the wider system of often contradictory political and social relations that influence and in turn constrain donor-government relations she questions the traditional understanding of accountability and deconstructs its epistemological assumptions. Engaging in an interdisciplinary discussion drawing upon economics, sociology, political science, anthropology, psychology and philosophy the book constructs a modern and nuanced understanding of accountability and foreign aid. Helen Tilley is a Research Fellow at ODI, London. She has extensive experience working with DFID, the World Bank, the European Commission, UNDP and governments in Africa and Asia, including two long-term advisory positions in Tanzania: with the Tanzanian government and donor agencies. She holds a PhD in Economics from the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London. |
