Summary: How political is foreign aid? How political should it be? Can the pursuit of political goals like democratic development, and use of politically-informed methods in the planning and delivery of aid, increase its effectiveness in fostering development? In recent years, many aid practitioners and scholars have been arguing that aid should be more political. They do not mean that aid should advance geo-political interests. Rather, they are referring to efforts by international actors to balance socio-economic with democratic goals and methods. Thomas Carothers will assess the emergence of these goals and methods over time and across donor agencies to foster broader discussion and explore new directions for Canadian democracy aid. A book signing will follow. Thomas Carothers is a foremost authority on international support for democracy, rights and governance. He is vice president for studies at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and founder and director of the Democracy and Rule of Law Program and oversees Carnegie Europe in Brussels.
