The Political Economy of International Development Assistance

International development assistance is currently at a turning point. Growing geopolitical tensions, economic crises, shifting priorities among donor countries, and shrinking official development assistance (ODA) budgets are reshaping the international community’s response to global challenges. In this environment, questions are increasingly being raised about the future of development cooperation, the effectiveness of existing support mechanisms, the role of multilateralism, and the prospects for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

This book offers an interdisciplinary analysis of these transformations. The contributing authors - researchers, experts, and practitioners in the field of development policy - present the latest research findings and in-depth analyses of the evolving relationships between donors and recipients, increasing geopolitical competition, the changing architecture of global aid, and the roles of governments, international organizations, the private sector, and civil society. Special attention is given to the experiences of Poland and the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, which have, over recent decades, transitioned from aid recipients to active development partners.

This publication is the result of collaboration among an international group of authors. It brings together perspectives from economics, political science, international relations, and sociology, offering both a strong theoretical foundation and practical recommendations for development policy. It is intended for researchers, students, policymakers, and anyone interested in the contemporary challenges of global development. It demonstrates that development assistance is an expression of international responsibility and cooperation. The book encourages readers to reconsider the role of international solidarity and to explore new, more effective, and sustainable approaches to supporting development.