THE decision of some donors to suspend aid to Rwanda raises a fundamental question on the rationale for rich countries to give aid to poor countries. Is the major reason for aid to reduce poverty and help raise the welfare of the poor in developing countries or is to increase the ability of rich countries to exercise political leverage over them?
The decision on Rwanda will confirm the rarely discussed, but widely held view that the raison d'être for aid is mainly for political leverage. It increases control and potential for arm stringing of the poor by the rich.
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