About Aid Watch
The Aid Watch blog is a project of New York University's Development Research Institute (DRI). This blog is principally written by William Easterly, author of "The Elusive Quest for Growth: Economists' Adventures and Misadventures in the Tropics" and "The White Man's Burden: Why the West's Efforts to Aid the Rest Have Done So Much Ill and So Little Good," and Professor of Economics at NYU. It is co-written by Laura Freschi and by occasional guest bloggers. Our work is based on the idea that more aid will reach the poor the more people are watching aid.
"Conscience is the inner voice that warns us somebody may be looking." - H.L. Mencken
Recent Comments
- Rukmini on Aid Watch blog ends; New work on development begins : This has been a valuable resource for me and I’m sorry to see it...
- Jesse on From Hell to Prosperity: I would like to see this graph with a comparative one which shows the number of people in each religion...
- Ellie on Aid Watch blog ends; New work on development begins : Sad to see you go, but I certainly respect the decision. Hope it is...
- Vivek Nemana on From Hell to Prosperity: Jeff, Well, the billionaire effect might explain a disproportionately high mean income, but...
- M on Aid Watch blog ends; New work on development begins : I agree that Bill and Laura should think about how they can get their message...
- Mr. Econotarian on Are Lax US Gun Laws Spilling Violence into Mexico? : The paper says: “DHS data gives the number of illegal...
Archives
Category Archives: In the news
From Hell to Prosperity
By
William Easterly and Laura Freschi
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Published
May 18, 2011
A graphic showing striking disparities income among religions in America, from the NYT Magazine: Bill switched from childhood Methodist to adult Episcopalian in an attempt to boost income. Did that likely work? Barro and McCleary 2006 argue the relationship goes from income to religiosity (as measured by church attendance, personal prayer, and belief in hell[…..]
Also posted in Data and statistics
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19 Comments
Poverty: Is there an app for that?
By
Guest Blogger
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Published
May 17, 2011
by Tate Watkins. Tate is a research associate at George Mason University’s Mercatus Center. Last week the World Bank issued a announced an upcoming event called Random Hacks of Kindness. Tech developers will gather at locations around the world to try to “create open solutions that can save lives and alleviate suffering.” Random Hacks of Kindness[…..]
Also posted in Aid policies and approaches
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21 Comments
Who should be the next IMF chief?
By
Laura Freschi
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Published
May 17, 2011
Even if the serious charges against IMF head Dominique Strauss-Kahn are proven false, the IMF will likely be in need of a new leader. According to unwritten agreement, the IMF has always been headed by a European, just as the president of the World Bank has always been American. Some (mainly Europeans, funnily enough) argue that[…..]
11 Comments
Development before security…is a killer
By
Laura Freschi
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Published
May 3, 2011
In an article that just might have been overshadowed by bigger news out of the “AfPak” region Sunday night, the New York Times reported on USAID’s project to build the Gardez-Khost Highway in Afghanistan. This 64-mile stretch of road meant to connect the two mountainous southeastern provinces of Paktia and Khost is shoddily constructed and[…..]
Also posted in Aid policies and approaches, Military aid
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21 Comments
Qaddafi is right about some things
By
William Easterly
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Published
April 24, 2011
From the collection of his definitive writings: Women, like men, are human beings….we must understand the natural difference between the two sexes. Women are female and men are male. According to gynaecologists women, unlike men, menstruate each month. (p. 74, M. Al Gathafi, The Green Book, World Center for the Study and Research of the Green Book, 2009[…..]
9 Comments
She’s unemployed, he’s on welfare, benefits being cut, what future?
By
William Easterly
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Published
April 23, 2011
Taken from one of my 3 morning papers today, I forget which one (FT, WSJ, NYT): Kate and Prince William
5 Comments
An Ignorant Perspective on Libya
By
Adam Martin
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Published
April 21, 2011
Tax time prompts many of us to ponder what our tax dollars pay for. This year I thought, just a bit, about the most recent significant (if still relatively small) addition to the U.S. budget. I came to the conclusion that–for various reasons–I know next to nothing about what is happening or is likely to[…..]
Also posted in Military aid
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Tagged Hayek, Jefferson, Libya
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16 Comments
All Cups, No Tea
By
Laura Freschi
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Published
April 19, 2011
Another humanitarian hero has tumbled off his pedestal.
It remains to be seen whether Greg Mortenson, author of the best-selling “Three Cups of Tea,” will be able to avert a total reputation meltdown. But last Sunday’s 60 Minutes broadcast and a thorough exposé by Jon Krakauer provide convincing evidence for some serious allegations…
Also posted in Accountability and transparency, Aid policies and approaches
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Tagged Afghanistan, Central Asia Institute, Greg Mortenson, Pakistan
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32 Comments
Nation not part of “Democratic Revolt” international media story presumptuously holds election
By
William Easterly
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Published
April 10, 2011
A nation that does not fit into the media narrative on the Worldwide or Arab-wide Democratic Revolution went ahead and held an election today. Leading media representatives complained that there was no room for media attention to the historic, pivotal election in the nation of 74 million registered voters. “I mean there are no Arabs in Niger,[…..]
Also posted in Satire and parodies
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16 Comments
Aid Watch Government Shutdown Edition
By
William Easterly and Laura Freschi
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Published
April 7, 2011
UPDATE 12 noon: Comments show today we are in one of those dysfunctional audience relationship posts: we assume you can read our minds, and you assume we are idiots (see end of post). Here at Aid Watch we are definitely NOT interested in contributing to the partisan diatribe gaining force on BOTH sides of the aisle. We[…..]
16 Comments