Distortions and Dilemmas in the Performative System of International Development Aid

Abstract

Between growing ambitions for international aid and limited resources to achieve them, donors and international organisations’ repeated normative and performative demands have never been so strong. The dilemmas posed by the often diligent implementation of these requirements by the different international aid actors are nevertheless acute. Adapting to standards calls for the harmonisation, technicalisation and automation of professional processes and practices. At the same time, each actor seeks to display a especially or ability to innovate in a very competitive environment. Despite incessant criticism and the distortions to which it is subject, the international aid system model studied here through a political sociology lens appears to be far from running out of steam.

Keywords

• international aid
• development professionals
• standards
• NGOs
• donors
• legitimacy