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Biståndets påverkan på säkerhet: En paneldataanalys av utvecklingsländer 2008–2023

Zoenso Ryd, Isak LU (2025) STVK04 20251
Department of Political Science
Abstract
This study examines the relationship between foreign aid and security levels in low- and lower-middle-income countries between 2008 and 2023. Using a fixed effects panel regression approach, the analysis includes both general aid (as a percentage of GNI) and sector-specific development aid across 71 countries. The dependent variable is a modified version of the Global Peace Index, capturing both social safety and the absence of conflict. The results show no positive or significant link between total aid and improved security. On the contrary, in low-income countries, a higher aid to GNI ratio is significantly associated with lower security levels, suggesting that aid dependency may undermine state legitimacy. However, sector specific... (More)
This study examines the relationship between foreign aid and security levels in low- and lower-middle-income countries between 2008 and 2023. Using a fixed effects panel regression approach, the analysis includes both general aid (as a percentage of GNI) and sector-specific development aid across 71 countries. The dependent variable is a modified version of the Global Peace Index, capturing both social safety and the absence of conflict. The results show no positive or significant link between total aid and improved security. On the contrary, in low-income countries, a higher aid to GNI ratio is significantly associated with lower security levels, suggesting that aid dependency may undermine state legitimacy. However, sector specific development aid reveals that infrastructure, water and sanitation, and reproductive health aid show weak but statistically significant positive associations with security. In contrast, aid directed toward conflict-related activities and education is associated with reduced security, possibly due to implementation challenges and contextual fragility. Rather than foreign aid per se, the study underscores the role of domestic reforms and state legitimacy as key drivers of improved security. Variables such as democracy, governance capacity, and economic resilience consistently show strong and positive effects. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Zoenso Ryd, Isak LU
supervisor
organization
course
STVK04 20251
year
type
M2 - Bachelor Degree
subject
keywords
Bistånd, Utveckling, Säkerhet, Låginkomstländer, Lägre medelinkomstländer, Development–Security Nexus, Paneldata, Fixed effects-regression, Utvecklingsbistånd
language
Swedish
id
9189821
date added to LUP
2025-08-08 11:10:10
date last changed
2025-08-08 11:10:10
@misc{9189821,
  abstract     = {{This study examines the relationship between foreign aid and security levels in low- and lower-middle-income countries between 2008 and 2023. Using a fixed effects panel regression approach, the analysis includes both general aid (as a percentage of GNI) and sector-specific development aid across 71 countries. The dependent variable is a modified version of the Global Peace Index, capturing both social safety and the absence of conflict. The results show no positive or significant link between total aid and improved security. On the contrary, in low-income countries, a higher aid to GNI ratio is significantly associated with lower security levels, suggesting that aid dependency may undermine state legitimacy. However, sector specific development aid reveals that infrastructure, water and sanitation, and reproductive health aid show weak but statistically significant positive associations with security. In contrast, aid directed toward conflict-related activities and education is associated with reduced security, possibly due to implementation challenges and contextual fragility. Rather than foreign aid per se, the study underscores the role of domestic reforms and state legitimacy as key drivers of improved security. Variables such as democracy, governance capacity, and economic resilience consistently show strong and positive effects.}},
  author       = {{Zoenso Ryd, Isak}},
  language     = {{swe}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Biståndets påverkan på säkerhet: En paneldataanalys av utvecklingsländer 2008–2023}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}