Is Foreign Aid Effective?—A Review of William Easterly’s The White Man’s Burden

Abstract

This book review addresses the arguments against foreign aid that William Easterly sets forth in The White Man’s Burden. Specifically, it challenges Easterly’s distinction between “Planners” and “Searchers”, his support of homegrown solutions and criticism of the lack of feedback and accountability within aid agencies, and his skepticism of Western humanitarian intervention.