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There is a widespread concern that, in some parts of the world,
governments are unable to exercise effective authority. When
governments fail, more sinister forces thrive: warlords, arms
smugglers, narcotics enterprises, kidnap gangs, terrorist networks,
armed militias. Why do governments fail? This book explores an old
idea that has returned to prominence: that authority,
effectiveness, accountability and responsiveness is closely related
to the ways in which governments are financed. It matters that
governments tax their citizens rather than live from oil revenues
and foreign aid, and it matters how they tax them. Taxation
stimulates demands for representation, and an effective revenue
authority is the central pillar of state capacity. Using case
studies from Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe and Latin America, this
book presents and evaluates these arguments, updates theories
derived from European history in the light of conditions in
contemporary poorer countries, and draws conclusions for
policy-makers.
There is a widespread concern that, in some parts of the world,
governments are unable to exercise effective authority. When
governments fail, more sinister forces thrive: warlords, arms
smugglers, narcotics enterprises, kidnap gangs, terrorist networks,
armed militias. Why do governments fail? This book explores an old
idea that has returned to prominence: that authority,
effectiveness, accountability and responsiveness is closely related
to the ways in which governments are financed. It matters that
governments tax their citizens rather than live from oil revenues
and foreign aid, and it matters how they tax them. Taxation
stimulates demands for representation, and an effective revenue
authority is the central pillar of state capacity. Using case
studies from Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe and Latin America, this
book presents and evaluates these arguments, updates theories
derived from European history in the light of conditions in
contemporary poorer countries, and draws conclusions for
policy-makers.
Is China a rogue donor, as some media pundits suggest? Or is China
helping the developing world pave a pathway out of poverty, as the
Chinese claim? In the last few years, China's aid program has leapt
out of the shadows. Media reports about huge aid packages, support
for pariah regimes, regiments of Chinese labor, and the ruthless
exploitation of workers and natural resources in some of the
poorest countries in the world sparked fierce debates. These
debates, however, took place with very few hard facts. China's
tradition of secrecy about its aid fueled rumors and speculation,
making it difficult to gauge the risks and opportunities provided
by China's growing embrace.
This well-timed book, by one of the world's leading experts,
provides the first comprehensive account of China's aid and
economic cooperation overseas. Deborah Brautigam tackles the myths
and realities, explaining what the Chinese are doing, how they do
it, how much aid they give, and how it all fits into their "going
global" strategy. Drawing on three decades of experience in China
and Africa, and hundreds of interviews in Africa, China, Europe and
the US, Brautigam shines new light on a topic of great interest.
China has ended poverty for hundreds of millions of its own
citizens. Will Chinese engagement benefit Africa? Using hard data
and a series of vivid stories ranging across agriculture, industry,
natural resources, and governance, Brautigam's fascinating book
provides an answer. It is essential reading for anyone concerned
with China's rise, and what it might mean for the challenge of
ending poverty in Africa.
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