Moving with the Crowd: Canadian Aid to Africa

Abstract

This article examines the development of Canadian foreign aid policy to Africa, particularly since 1980. We argue that the principles and rules governing Canadian assistance to Africa are increasingly defined at the systemic level, by and among the community of aid donors, rather than at the domestic level, by Canadian decision-makers. In short, Canadian aid policy to Africa is increasingly influenced by the international aid regime. We do not deny the continuing importance of domestic factors. However, when the pattern of change is placed in historical perspective, it becomes clear that the role of domestic determinants has gradually given way to systemic determinants. Moreover, while one should not read too much into a single case study, our argument illustrates important aspects of the changing global dynamic of aid to the Third World in general and Africa in particular. More specifically, it illustrates the growing intensity and coherence of 'global governance' in this area.1