Since the creation of the Department for International Development, the purpose of UK development policy and aid has changed significantly. This book provides a comprehensive evaluation of these changes, their causes, and their implications. It argues that UK development aid as an act of solidarity, economic justice, or redistribution, which has always been undermined by donor interest and colonialism, has been abolished. The authors present a new framework for understanding the UK’s current approach to development policy and aid, the ‘nationalisation’ of aid, which prioritises narrow domestic commercial and political interests at the expense of sustainable development and the UK’s international reputation. Based on new quantitative and qualitative data, the book offers a nuanced and comprehensive exploration of the UK’s approach to aid and development, contributing to broader discussions on the evolving nature of development assistance and its implications. With a combination of rigorous research methods and insightful analysis, it not only advances scholarly understanding within the fields of Politics, International Relations, Development Studies, and International Political Economy, but also provides practical guidance for policymakers and practitioners seeking to navigate the complexities of contemporary development assistance.
Table of Content
.- 1. Introduction.
.- 2. Understanding UK Aid and Development.
.- 3. Development Policy Discourse 1997-2022.
.- 4. Merging Departments, Deprioritising Development.
.- 5. UK Aid Provision in Numbers.
.- 6. Relevance and Coherence of UK Projects in Kenya, Nepal, and Nigeria.
.- 7. Effectiveness of Projects.
.- 8. Impact and Sustainability of Projects.
.- 9. The ‘Nationalisation’ of Development Aid.
.- 10. Conclusion.
About the author
Melita Lazell is Associate Professor in Political Economy and Development, and Associate Head of the School (Research) for Area Studies, Sociology, History, Politics and Literature, University of Portsmouth, UK.
Ivica Petrikova is Senior Lecturer in Politics and International Relations at Royal Holloway University of London, UK and co-director of the Global Politics and Development Centre.