We test the hypothesis that aid recipient governments are better able to utilize aid flows for political favoritism during periods in which they are of geo-strategic value to major donors. We examine the effect of a country's (non-permanent) membership on the United Nations Security Council...

The slow demise of the interwar gold standard figures prominently in explanations of the spread and depth of the Great Depression. The reluctance of some countries to shed their golden fetters is puzzling in the face of the visible gains enjoyed by early quitters. We explore four hypotheses...

Until recently, most aid from rich to poor countries was transmitted through official bilateral and multilateral channels. But the rapid growth in private development aid from foundations, charities, and philanthropic individuals raises a host of questions regarding the allocation of aid and its...