AFS 337 Notes 10-20

Rise and Proliferation of the NGOs: development from below

Origin
- The flourishing of international humanitarianism (a result of
affluence) and sophistication of media technologies
- The use of NGOs as a counterweight to the state/an alternative
agent of development and democratization (SAPs vision of
minimal state)
- The huge demand for basic services in Africa (partly the effect of
SAPs)
Context
- Their emergence in Africa coincides with the retreat of the state
- Their mission complements the neoliberal agenda
- Minimizing the state and liberalizing the economy
- Their prominence: From development partners to political actors
- Advocating democracy, forging/promoting civil society,
empowering local populations
The Argument for AID
Theory of African Development
- Savings to investment to growth to development to eradication
of poverty
- Savings in Africa to come from aid money
Forms of Aid in Africa
- Humanitarian aid (Band Aid) (Emergency situations)
- Charitable Aid (short-term) (scholarships to African students,
doctors helping)
- Bilateral Aid (most common/ between government and
government)
A Food Chain of Supra-State Structures
- Internal Agencies (IMF,WB), Northern NGOs, African NGOs,
CBOS/GROs
- Co-operation/co-optation, but also competition and suspicion
- Funding
- Priorities (empowerment, participatory development, relief, social
services)
- Relations with the state