The Political Economy of Aid and Accountability: The Rise and Fall of Budget Support in Tanzania

The provision of aid is increasingly under scrutiny with increasing demands for results. This raises the question: what are our expectations from aid and are they realistic? Too often accountability is argued for without questioning if what is understood by the term is relevant or applicable. The Political Economy of Aid and Accountability explores the real meaning of accountability and argues for a new approach to aid more relevant to recipient countries.

Helen Tilley is a Research Fellow at ODI, London. She has extensive experience working with DFID, the World Bank, the European Commission, UNDP and governments in Africa and Asia, including two long-term advisory positions in Tanzania: with the Tanzanian government and donor agencies. She holds a PhD in Economics from the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London.