Norsk utviklingspolitikk i en global endring: Fra humanisme til egeninteresse? En kvantitativ og kvalitativ analyse med spesielt fokus på Brasil

Abstract

This study seeks to demonstrate the motives behind Norwegian official bilateral aid after the Cold War. The study specifically focuses on changes after 2004. The  objective is to explain whether national interests dominate Norwegian development policy or if the primary goal is to combat poverty. Quantitative and qualitative research (known as “triangulation” or “mixed method”) is used to identify these motives. It tests for the effects of several variables, including democracy, poverty,  and varied Norwegian political and economic interests. The study thereafter seeks to explain these motives by examining Norwegian development aid to Brasil.

The  findings suggest that economic, political, international alliances and environmental interests are important factors in understanding Norwegian bilateral aid to the  developing countries today. Whether these factors as a result contribute to the development of poor recipient countries seems more uncertain. However, Norwegian foreign aid policy has always had a focus in fighting poverty.

The study argues that changes in Norwegian foreign aid must be understood within the framework of political, economic and global changes after the Cold War. The study argues that explanations behind Norwegian foreign aid practices are a combination of both idealism and self-interest. These motives behind Norwegian foreign aid seem to overlap.