A Radical Restructuring of Development Aid : From Liberal Justice to “From each according to their ability, to each according to their needs” Assessing the Failures of Development Aid and Providing A New Normative Alternative

Abstract: In this paper I will argue for the need for a change of norms in the global governance system in regards to development aid. I argue that liberal norms of justice and distribution of wealth have a negative effect on development aid practices. This study is a normative political theory and the material researched is relevant literature sources. The suggested new norms are, first; anarchic theory which views the state as an instrument to inforce inequality and second; the communist theory of redistributive justice “From each according to their ability, to each according to their needs”. The global governance system’s institutions will be argued to solely include civil society organisations. The argument for a new structure additionally lies in the need to make development aid less prone to creating and re-institutionalising neo-colonial relations. Development aid, or as it largely has been practised, loans, has historically forced underdeveloped nations into submission by global power states. Power states that through the use of the loan and specifically the lender's debt can further drive their interests. Instead the wellbeing of the receivers shall stand in focus, and it is the communities who receive development aid who shall dictate the terms, not their governments nor other governments. The aid shall hence be proportionate. This will enable development aid to be given in a contextual and more constructive way, by and for the people who have requested to receive funding.