The fact that we are facing irreversible climate change in the twenty-first century -- not to mention our collective experience with the COVID-19 pandemic -- has woken International Relations (IR) up to the realisation that the subfield has not paid enough attention such matters. As a result, IR is much more concerned about nature now.

This paper analyses how earmarked funding affects recipient country ownership, a key aspect of the Aid Effectiveness agenda. Despite formal commitments to ownership by donor governments and multilateral institutions represented in the Development Assistance Committee (DAC), earmarked funding may undermine ownership. By strengthening accountability of international organizations to donor governments, this funding weakens the ownership of recipient countries in formulating policy objectives, using country-led results frameworks, and implementing aid through country systems.

Scholars have long recognized the dual nature of bilateral foreign aid: on the one hand, foreign aid flows are justified with reference to how they will help achieve economic development goals in aid-receiving countries; on the other hand, the provision of foreign aid supports geostrategic objectives that go beyond sustainable economic development in poor countries. These mixed motives complicate the process of generating public support for foreign aid.

Facilitators: US-UK Practitioners, TBA to Participants

Christopher Morris runs a weekly discussion group. Please be aware that group attendance may be limited. It is required to contact Christopher (Christopher.Morris@politics.ox.ac.uk) in advance for availability. Meetings will run both in person and online.

In person location: Mary Hyde Eccles Room, Pembroke College
Online: Microsoft Teams

Christopher Morris runs a weekly discussion group. Please be aware that group attendance may be limited. It is required to contact Christopher (Christopher.Morris@politics.ox.ac.uk) in advance for availability. Meetings will run both in person and online.

In person location: Mary Hyde Eccles Room, Pembroke College
Online: Microsoft Teams