The persistent low state of development in sub-Saharan Africa has become a global challenge. Academics and think-tanks continue to search for solutions to Africa’s longstanding problems. Studies have proven that the entire region is essentially confronted with a crisis of social structures and government and the fragmentation of authority is the hallmark of this crisis (Van Hoyweghen & Smis, 2002:575). Over twenty-four million people are infected with AIDS/HIV, growth of per capita income is low and civil wars have killed millions in Rwanda, Burundi, Liberia, Sierra Leone and the Democratic Republic of Congo. African governments owe billions of dollars in debt (Polanyi, 2003:563). This irreversible trend brought the good governance discourse in development cooperation between the donors and African counterparts.
The purpose of this paper is to examine how the concept of good governance is being implemented in Africa. For clarity purposes, the work is limited to the analysis of the efforts being made by the European Union (EU) and the World Bank in assisting African countries to implement good governance. This choice is based on the fact that the EU and World Bank are the main multilateral aid donors and development partners of the region. It argues that good governance enhances transparency in the use of development aid, helps to reduce poverty and spurs development, and that it is necessary to foster institutional reforms (causative argument). The paper further argues that implementing good governance will improve the use of political power by leaders and help in the consolidation of peace (normative argument).
Achieving global governance is a main issue in international politics today. Enforcing good governance is a must if Africa has to be fully integrated into the process of globalisation. And for globalisation to be complete and meaningful, poverty in Africa as well as other parts of the world must be eradicated. No amount of foreign aid can lead to meaningful development without effective governance. The poor state of development in Africa produces a backlash that has a global reach. Europe for example is facing a huge influx of migrants from Africa in search for greener pastures. Eradicating poverty is therefore a global challenge as the world becomes smaller. The fight against poverty and underdevelopment has given rise to a greater inter-state relationship in which powerful institutions play a decisive role.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- CHAPTER ONE
- 1.0 INTRODUCTION
- CHAPTER TWO
- 2.0 ORIGIN AND EVOLUTION OF AID CONDITIONALITY
- 2.1 ORIGIN OF AID CONDITIONALITY
- 2.2 FROM CRISIS TO ECONOMIC REFORM
- 3.0 FROM ECONOMIC TO POLITICAL REFORMS
- 3.1 THE CONCEPT OF GOVERNANCE
- 3.2 GOOD GOVERNANCE
- 3.3 GOOD GOVERNANCE, AID EFFECTIVENESS AND DEVELOPMENT
- 4.0 ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN UNION IN IMPLEMENTING GOOD GOVERNANCE
- 4.1 THE EU APPROACH TO GOOD GOVERNANCE
- 4.2 EU ACTIVITIES
- 5.0 THE WORLD BANK SUPPORT TO SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA
- 5.1 THE WORLD BANK'S STRATEGY
- 5.2 INSTITUTION AND GOVERNANCE REVIEWS
- 5.3 LENDING APPROACHES
- 5.4 COUNTRY ASSISTANCE STRATEGY (CAS)
- 5.5 THE WORLD BANK AND NEPAD
- 6.0 CONCLUSION
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper examines the implementation of good governance in Africa, specifically focusing on the efforts of the European Union (EU) and the World Bank in assisting African countries. The paper argues that good governance promotes transparency in development aid utilization, poverty reduction, and development. It also suggests that good governance is crucial for institutional reforms, improved use of political power by leaders, and peace consolidation. The main objectives of the paper are to analyze the concept of good governance, its origin, and its role in facilitating aid effectiveness and development. Additionally, it explores the responses of sub-Saharan African countries to good governance and identifies potential areas where it has failed. Key themes of the paper include: * The evolution of aid conditionality from economic to political reforms * The importance of good governance for aid effectiveness and development * The role of the European Union and the World Bank in promoting good governance in Africa * The relationship between good governance and peace consolidation * The challenges and potential shortcomings of implementing good governance in AfricaZusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
Chapter One introduces the persistent developmental challenges facing Sub-Saharan Africa and the need for solutions. It highlights the crisis of social structures and governance, as well as the impact of AIDS/HIV, low per capita income, and civil wars. The chapter establishes the context for exploring good governance as a response to these challenges and outlines the scope and arguments of the paper. Chapter Two explores the origins and evolution of aid conditionality, discussing its transformation from a focus on economic reforms to a broader emphasis on political reforms, particularly good governance. This chapter examines the historical context and key drivers behind the shift in aid conditionality. Chapter Three dives deeper into the concept of good governance, defining its meaning, exploring its origins, and demonstrating its relationship to development and aid effectiveness. The chapter argues that good governance is crucial for achieving higher levels of well-being and that the state plays a central role in creating a market-friendly environment. Chapter Four examines the European Union's approach to promoting good governance in Africa, outlining its strategies and activities. The chapter analyzes the EU's focus on dialogue and capacity-building, its support for various initiatives such as the European Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR), and its efforts to strengthen national institutions and promote the rule of law in selected countries. Chapter Five explores the World Bank's efforts to support good governance in sub-Saharan Africa. The chapter discusses the Bank's strategy, which emphasizes country leadership and ownership of reforms. It delves into the Bank's institutional and governance reviews, its lending approaches, and its Country Assistance Strategy aimed at combating poverty through capacity-building and accountability structures.Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
This paper focuses on aid conditionality, good governance, development cooperation, sub-Saharan Africa, the European Union, the World Bank, institutional reforms, poverty reduction, aid effectiveness, and peace consolidation. The paper explores the relationship between these concepts, highlighting their relevance to development challenges in Africa.- Quote paper
- Fidelis Etah Ewane (Author), 2004, Aid and conditionality: Enhancing good governance in sub-Saharan Africa, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/116786
