Why no Improvement?

There is presently a debate in political science literature regarding the effectiveness of international aid in its various forms. Some argue that aid is ineffective because it encourages corruption and decreases incentives for governments to pursue sustainable self-development. Others counter that aid is essential, pointing to the success of international aid in reducing HIV/AIDS and infant mortality rates in Africa.

Simone Dietrich believes that a better question to ask is "under what conditions can aid be effective?" To answer this question, her research examines the strategies and tendencies of countries that provide international aid and how different donor tactics affect development and democratic consolidation.

Simone Dietrich's research interests are in international and comparative political economy, with an emphasis on institutions, policy and political methodology. Her current projects study determinants of foreign aid allocation and effectiveness. Her book manuscript "Ideology, Institutions, and Foreign Aid Delivery" examines the effect of donor politics on decisions to delegate the implementation of foreign aid to international organisations and NGOs. In other aid-related papers, she has examined the effects of democracy aid on democratic consolidation in Africa, examining the preferences and attitudes of ordinary citizens in developing countries toward foreign aid through field experimental and survey techniques.

Ms Dietrich's foreign aid research builds directly on insights gained through field work in international development while working for non-governmental and international organisations. Her field journeys have taken her through the Balkans, the Caucasus and Central Asia over a period of three years.

Simone Dietrich is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of Missouri, Columbia. Before this appointment, she was a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the Niehaus Center for Globalization and Governance at Princeton University. She received her PhD in Political Science from Penn State University in 2011. Prior to that, she studied Political Science as a graduate student, receiving an MA from Wayne State (Detroit).