The Dark Side of Humanity, Part II

Chapter 6 discusses the problem of external corruption—the worry that to accomplish their ends, aid agencies may often have to become enmeshed with corrupt individuals or institutions. Chapter 6 notes numerous ways that corrupt officials may get their hands on aid, and suggests that the problem of external corruption may be especially prevalent in some of the world’s most desperate regions where the need is greatest. Chapter 6 suggests that it is unlikely that the problem of foreign aid capture or diversion can be avoided simply by channeling aid efforts through NGOs (non-governmental organizations). Chapter 6 concludes by suggesting that perhaps in some cases we must simply learn to live with external corruption as the cost of foreign aid; that is, as a regrettable but necessary cost of addressing global poverty and aiding the needy in some of the world’s most desperate regions.