Toxic Aid

Sebastian Edwards is the Henry Ford II Professor of International Economics at the University of California, Los Angeles, and a Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research.

Opposing sides on foreign aid fiercely debate whether it spurs growth or actually does harm. Sebastian Edwards' fascinating tale of aid in Tanzania suggests it can do both. He reminds us that the more recent success of aid and reform in Tanzania is undoing the disaster caused by aid's decades-long support of domestic tyranny and corruption. A must-read for both sides of the aid debate, or for all those who simply care about poverty.

• Preface ; 1. Tanzania: Finally a Success Story? ; 2. Tanzania's Market-Oriented Reforms and Economic Performance: The 'Official Story' ; 3. The War of Ideas and Foreign Aid ; 4. The Evolution of Foreign Aid to Tanzania ; 5. The Arusha Declaration, Foreign Aid, and the Crisis of 1979 ; 6. Economic Collapse ; 7. Tanzania and the IMF: A Troubled Relationship ; 8. The Wheels of Aid and the First Round of Reforms, 1986-1995 ; 9. A New Beginning: The Ownership of Aid Programs ; 10. The Second Wave of Reforms: Vision and Policies ; 11. Is Tanzania a Success Story?