In international aid, the relationship between donor countries (those giving aid) and recipient countries (those receiving it) is complex, especially when decisions made by the recipient country鈥檚 government affect human rights. In these cases, donor countries often, and are expected to, use the threat of aid suspension in response to these human rights violations.
Professor Dasandi and Dr Erez write that this threat serves a purpose, referred to as the 鈥榝lag and stick鈥 approach. The 鈥榝lag鈥 is an expressive function of aid suspension, which showcases the donor government鈥檚 commitment to human rights, whilst the 鈥榮tick鈥 is an instrumental function where the threat of withdrawing aid puts pressure on the receiving government to end the rights violation.
However, the study found that when public opinion aligns with a human rights violation, the 鈥榝lag and stick鈥 approach does not work. Using examples such as Uganda鈥檚 2009 Anti-Homosexuality Bill, this paper highlights the complex dilemma faced by donor governments, which risk domestic and international backlash whether they choose to continue to provide aid or suspend it.
The researchers present a framework for recognising and evaluating potential responses that considers the political and ethical features of different cases. It lays out four alternative responses for donors, highlighting the recipient and donor context, global situation, and donor-recipient relationship that best fit each scenario.
By developing this framework, this study supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), specifically which aims to 鈥減romote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.鈥
The Atlas Award is a prestigious, internationally recognised award. Studies are chosen through a rigorous selection process with nominated papers identified based on expert nominations and citation metrics, which were then assessed by an advisory board to select the winner.
