The White Man's Burden

William Easterly talked about his book The White Man’s Burden: Why the West’s Efforts to Aid the Rest Have Done So Much Ill and So Little Good, published by Penguin Press. He argued that most foreign aid programs are too idealistic, grandiose, and wasteful. He said that Western aid programs would help the suffering poor only if those who manage them invoke planning efforts that include feedback, incentives, and accountability. He explained how giving foreign aid under these terms would help improve global foreign aid efforts. After his presentation he answered audience members' questions.

This event was held at the Carnegie Endowment. close