To what extent is Duffield’s “the changing aid paradigm” a useful concept?

 

Duffield’s “changing aid paradigm” is a useful concept to the extent that it articulates changes in the international community’s response to certain situations within political theory framework. Duffield’s article is just as complex as the new paradigm he is trying to explain. Although this broad approach can be confusing at times, it reflects the integration of multiple groups and practices that is this changing paradigm.

The underlying concept of this “changing aid paradigm” is the current state of development, in particular, the polarisation of development. This can be seen in two ways, firstly the wealth gap between the richest and poorest areas of the world. Secondly Duffield states there are, “two contradictory developments: complex forms of economic and political integration within the main bloc areas, as opposed to ethnocentric or fundamentalist assertion or breakdown outside” (Duffield 1997: 529). This reflects the differing states of development throughout the world, particularly in relation to regionalisation.

The importance of this concept is shown by Duffield throughout his article, in particular the effects of this changing paradigm on activities of NGOs. A current example of this is the case of refugees. Duffield explains that there is a tendency to view cases of refugees from the perspective of receiving states, rather than the states from which refugees come. However as part of this changing paradigm there has been a shift of focus. The focus has been on aiding the conflict states in securing a safe environment for their citizens (Duffield 1997:530). This new focus can be seen as a result in a shift towards an understanding of different regions developing at a different pace.

It is in cases such as this that Duffield’s changing aid paradigm become useful as it places the new response to development situations within a theoretical framework which can better articulate such a change.