ABSTRACT
A programme of international development assistance, commonly called the aid system, has existed for 30 years or more Initially the system assumed that inputs of finance and expertise from Northern-donor countries could accelerate and direct change in pooler countries of the world — the South, 1 In later years it became cleai that development could not be externally directed but required local ownership and sufficient capacity to guide the process. Throughout, the primary public goal of international aid remained one of bringing about changes which reduce the proportion of poor or otherwise disadvantaged people in society. About 15 years ago an important condition was added to this goal, namely that change should be sustainable today and for future generations. Even more recently, under the label of re reforms for ‘good governance’, the purpose of aid has expanded to include the promotion of a particular form of politics based on democratic representation, social justice, the rule of law, and adherence to international agreements on human rights.
