ABSTRACT

This chapter argues that the long-term evolution of Spanish aid has been driven by the country’s aim to comply with international norms. Our argument contrasts with other studies on donor countries, revealing a strategic use of aid as an instrument to achieve different goals set at the domestic level. In this respect, the chapter connects with broader theoretical debates summarised in Chapters 1 and 2 of this book, and it concludes that the behaviour of Spain in aid issues can be better understood from a constructivist perspective.

The study traces the evolution of this policy from its foundation in 1976, when Spain’s first ODA fund was established, until 2015, when Spain was expected to reach the 0.7% target (according to commitments made during the 2010s). However, 2015 was also the year when cumulative cuts to the ODA budget reached a maximum of 74%. After reviewing prior studies on Spanish aid that refer to a lack of specialisation and political leadership, as well as episodes of herd behaviour, the chapter explores Spanish aid’s political drivers by analysing the preambles of its legal and policy papers, OECD data on its actual performance, and its peer reviews conducted at the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC).