We define ‘failing states’ are those low-income states in which policy and governance is persistently very bad. We develop a theory of reform in these states in which several characteristics of the society might potentially be the binding constraint on change. We then introduce aid,...

Cet article compare deux conceptions relatives à l'efficacité de l'aide et à son allocation. La première, qui correspond au nouveau paradigme de l'aide, soutient que l'aide n'est efficace que si la politique économique des pays receveurs est bonne. Selon la seconde, présentée ici,...

Globally, state failure is hugely costly. We estimate the total cost of failing states at around US$276 billion per year. In this paper we apply our global framework and methodology to analyse the cost of failing states in the Pacific Ocean. Globally, failing states inflict very large costs on...

In previous papers we have argued that aid is likely to mitigate the negative effects of external shocks on economic growth (i.e., aid is more effective in countries that are more vulnerable to external shocks). Recently an important debate has emerged about the possible negative effects of aid...

This paper analyzes the respective impact of aid, remittances and medical brain drain on child mortality using panel and cross-country quintile-level data on respectively 84 and 46 developing countries. Our results show that remittances reduce child mortality and that the impact of health aid is...

This paper analyzes the preconditions for sustained policy turnarounds in failing states. Our dependent variable is the probability of the commencement of a turnaround that eventually becomes both sustained and substantial. We focus upon the explanatory variables of resource rents, education,...

The objective of the paper is to analyze the respective impact of aid and remittances on human development as measured by infant and child mortality rates and stunting incidence. Panel data on a sample of 98 developing countries, and cross-country quintile-level data on a sample of 47 developing...

This paper assesses the impact of migrants' Home Town Associations (HTAs) located in France on the provision of local public goods in Mali. To this end, we computed a dataset on all the HTAs that have been created by Malian migrants in France since 1981 and geo-localised their interventions on...

In previous papers the authors have argued that aid is likely to mitigate the negative effects of external shocks on economic growth (i.e. that aid is more effective in countries which are more vulnerable to external shocks). Recently an important debate has emerged about the possible negative...

The objective of the paper is to analyze the respective impact of aid and remittances on human development as measured by infant and child mortality rates. Panel data on a sample of 109 developing countries, and cross-country quintile-level data on a sample of 47 developing countries are...