In an op-ed for Le Monde, Esther Duflo (J-PAL) argues that development aid is not a waste of public money, highlighting the progress of poor countries in recent decades and the role of foreign aid in proving innovative, successful development strategies.
Esther writes: “The credit for this goes primarily to the governments and people of these countries.
“But development aid from rich countries has also played an important role in strengthening global public goods, overcoming crises and rigorously testing and evaluating innovative approaches.”