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The robust result in meta-analysis of aid effectiveness: A response to Mekasha and Tarp

Author

Listed:
  • Hristos Doucouliagos
  • Martin Paldam

    (Department of Economics and Business, Aarhus University, Denmark)

Abstract

Our study, Doucouliagos and Paldam (2008), has recently been critically discussed by Mekasha and Tarp (2011). In this paper we show that contrary to what they state, their study validates our basic analysis: Both papers confirm that the literature has shown that aid is of little economic importance in generating growth. M&T find some random coding errors with virtually no effect on the basic results. Furthermore, we discuss some methodological disagreements and show that their choice of the random effects model is not appropriate for the problem at hand, and that the way they use multiple MRAs contradicts the robust results reached at the basic analysis.

Suggested Citation

  • Hristos Doucouliagos & Martin Paldam, 2011. "The robust result in meta-analysis of aid effectiveness: A response to Mekasha and Tarp," Economics Working Papers 2011-15, Department of Economics and Business Economics, Aarhus University.
  • Handle: RePEc:aah:aarhec:2011-15
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Hristos Doucouliagos & Martin Paldam, 2006. "Aid Effectiveness on Accumulation: A Meta Study," Kyklos, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 59(2), pages 227-254, May.
    2. David Dollar & Craig Burnside, 2000. "Aid, Policies, and Growth," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 90(4), pages 847-868, September.
    3. Hristos Doucouliagos & Martin Paldam, 2009. "The Aid Effectiveness Literature: The Sad Results Of 40 Years Of Research," Journal of Economic Surveys, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 23(3), pages 433-461, July.
    4. Hristos Doucouliagos & Martin Paldam, 2010. "Conditional aid effectiveness: A meta-study," Journal of International Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 22(4), pages 391-410.
    5. Arndt Channing & Jones Sam & Tarp Finn, 2010. "Aid, Growth, and Development: Have We Come Full Circle?," Journal of Globalization and Development, De Gruyter, vol. 1(2), pages 1-29, December.
    6. Channing Arndt & Sam Jones & Finn Tarp, 2009. "Aid and Growth: Have We Come Full Circle?," WIDER Working Paper Series DP2009-05, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    7. Steven B. Caudill & Randall G. Holcombe, 1999. "Specification Search and Levels of Significance in Econometric Models," Eastern Economic Journal, Eastern Economic Association, vol. 25(3), pages 289-300, Summer.
    8. Tseday Jemaneh Mekasha & Finn Tarp, 2013. "Aid and Growth: What Meta-Analysis Reveals," Journal of Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 49(4), pages 564-583, April.
    9. Hristos Doucouliagos & Martin Paldam, 2013. "The Robust Result in Meta-analysis of Aid Effectiveness: A Response to Mekasha and Tarp," Journal of Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 49(4), pages 584-587, April.
    10. Carl-Johan Dalgaard & Henrik Hansen & Finn Tarp, 2004. "On The Empirics of Foreign Aid and Growth," Economic Journal, Royal Economic Society, vol. 114(496), pages 191-216, June.
    11. Arndt Channing & Jones Sam & Tarp Finn, 2010. "Aid, Growth, and Development: Have We Come Full Circle?," Journal of Globalization and Development, De Gruyter, vol. 1(2), pages 1-29, December.
    12. Doucouliagos, Hristos & Paldam, Martin, 2011. "The ineffectiveness of development aid on growth: An update," European Journal of Political Economy, Elsevier, vol. 27(2), pages 399-404, June.
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    JEL classification:

    • F35 - International Economics - - International Finance - - - Foreign Aid

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