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The Geopolitical Consequences of Foreign Aid Withdrawal

Björshammar, Cecilia LU and Lind, Frida LU (2025) STVK12 20251
Department of Political Science
Abstract
This thesis explores the geopolitical consequences of Western foreign aid withdrawal, with a focus on how it affects the foreign policy behavior of aid-recipient states. This thesis investigates the following central research question: How has the withdrawal of foreign aid affected the geopolitical realignment of recipient countries, and to what extent has it impacted their voting behavior in international institutions such as the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)?
Using a qualitative, comparative case study approach, the thesis examines Rwanda and Ethiopia - two countries that experienced significant aid reduction due to political controversies. Drawing on UN voting data, policy documents, and public statements, the analysis... (More)
This thesis explores the geopolitical consequences of Western foreign aid withdrawal, with a focus on how it affects the foreign policy behavior of aid-recipient states. This thesis investigates the following central research question: How has the withdrawal of foreign aid affected the geopolitical realignment of recipient countries, and to what extent has it impacted their voting behavior in international institutions such as the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)?
Using a qualitative, comparative case study approach, the thesis examines Rwanda and Ethiopia - two countries that experienced significant aid reduction due to political controversies. Drawing on UN voting data, policy documents, and public statements, the analysis identifies both rhetorical and behavioral shifts following the withdrawal of aid.
The findings show that both Rwanda and Ethiopia maintained domestic political stability and reframed donor pressure as foreign interference. Each country moved diplomatically closer to alternative donors such as China and with Western positions in the UNGA.
These results challenge the assumption that foreign aid, as a form of Soft Power, remains effective when conditioned on democratic values or human rights. In contexts where regimes are politically resilient and have alternative partnerships, donor influence appears limited. (Less)
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author
Björshammar, Cecilia LU and Lind, Frida LU
supervisor
organization
course
STVK12 20251
year
type
M2 - Bachelor Degree
subject
keywords
Soft Power, Foreign Aid, Geopolitical Realignment, United Nations General Assembly, Aid Conditionality
language
English
id
9189725
date added to LUP
2025-08-07 16:27:33
date last changed
2025-08-07 16:27:33
@misc{9189725,
  abstract     = {{This thesis explores the geopolitical consequences of Western foreign aid withdrawal, with a focus on how it affects the foreign policy behavior of aid-recipient states. This thesis investigates the following central research question: How has the withdrawal of foreign aid affected the geopolitical realignment of recipient countries, and to what extent has it impacted their voting behavior in international institutions such as the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)?
Using a qualitative, comparative case study approach, the thesis examines Rwanda and Ethiopia - two countries that experienced significant aid reduction due to political controversies. Drawing on UN voting data, policy documents, and public statements, the analysis identifies both rhetorical and behavioral shifts following the withdrawal of aid.
The findings show that both Rwanda and Ethiopia maintained domestic political stability and reframed donor pressure as foreign interference. Each country moved diplomatically closer to alternative donors such as China and with Western positions in the UNGA.
These results challenge the assumption that foreign aid, as a form of Soft Power, remains effective when conditioned on democratic values or human rights. In contexts where regimes are politically resilient and have alternative partnerships, donor influence appears limited.}},
  author       = {{Björshammar, Cecilia and Lind, Frida}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{The Geopolitical Consequences of Foreign Aid Withdrawal}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}