Well-meant is the enemy of the good. Western good governance concepts and the reality in developing countries

Focusing on the effectiveness of development aid, this research paper critiques the efforts by Western industrialized nations to improve governance in developing countries since the late 20th century. It argues that despite significant financial investments aimed at combating corruption and promoting democracy, many initiatives have not led to substantial improvements. The paper specifically highlights the shortcomings of decentralization reform, a widely used strategy in good governance programs, asserting that it is likely to fail in achieving its intended goals.