Abstract
Based on a theoretical definition of altruism the article investigates the relationship between this and other motives in Danish official development assistance 1960-2005. In the historical unfolding and general mode of operation of the Danish aid regime altruism has been an important, but only vaguely specified motive, endorsed by those involved on all levels: politicians, interest groups, specialists, activists and voters. However, other important motives, of an economic and political and even structuralsystemic nature, both national and international, can also be identified. Some of these are deemed reconcilable with an altruistic core motivation while others exercised a disruptive and competing influence. The multiplicity of agency and the derived need for consensus has tended to obstruct accountability and dilute responsibility in the aid system. Unfortunately, the frequent invocations of altruism in order to justify the aid programme may have served to downplay the importance of problems with aid efficiency and to marginalise criticism.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | European Review of History |
| Volume | 17 |
| Issue number | 6 |
| Pages (from-to) | 881-903 |
| Number of pages | 23 |
| ISSN | 1350-7486 |
| Publication status | Published - Dec 2010 |
Keywords
- Faculty of Humanities
