| Publication |
2012.
|
| Summary/Abstract |
Since 2001, Afghanistan has received over $50 billion in development aid, yet there is scant evidence to suggest that it has been effective in delivering stabilisation or security objectives, and the perceptions of aid are overwhelmingly negative. The unprecedentedly large influx of development aid is also one of the recognised sources of corruption in Afghanistan which itself undercuts Afghan institutions and has seriously damaged the credibility of the Afghan government with its own people. This paper draws on academic and government literature and asserts that while development aid is contributing positively to stability at the tactical level, the unintended consequences of the large flows of financial aid into Afghanistan are undermining its strategic potential to connect the Afghan people to their government. It concludes that unless the international community works together with the Afghan government to tackle corruption head-on, Afghanistan's future development will be fatally compromised.
|