EconTalk Colonialism, Slavery, and Foreign Aid (with William Easterly)
38 snips
Dec 8, 2025 
William Easterly, an economist and author known for his critical views on development aid, discusses the complexities of colonialism and modern aid. He argues that true development must prioritize individuals' agency over mere material gains. Exploring the concept of 'violent saviors,' he critiques paternalism in foreign aid and emphasizes the importance of consent in progress. Easterly also draws parallels between colonialism and contemporary regimes, urging a reevaluation of how we measure success beyond GDP while advocating for human dignity and self-determination.
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Conquest As Violent Saviors
- Western colonizers presented conquest as benevolent development while using violence to impose it.
- William Easterly calls this paradox "violent saviors" and urges rethinking development's moral basis.
Agency Is A Core Measure Of Progress
- Agency means the right to choose, consent, and self-determination beyond material aid.
- Easterly argues development that removes agency can’t be justified by improved material outcomes alone.
GDP Hides Loss Of Freedom
- GDP growth can mask worse human outcomes when freedom is suppressed.
- Easterly warns that rising Soviet GDP didn’t equal better lives under violent coercion.
