Institute of Development Studies

The promotion of 'good government' has become an explicit objective of most aid donors. This has raised suspicions in developing countries, particularly when the threat of withholding aid has been used to force multi-party elections. But experience is showing that the good government agenda is less threatening than it first appeared, and provides opportunities for improving the quality of aid. Good government principles are here to stay, and - if applied consistently, openly and intelligently - can bring benefits for both recipients and donors.