Does the Millennium Challenge Corporation reinforce capitalist power structures or empower citizens?

Davies, J. E. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9268-8310 (2018) Does the Millennium Challenge Corporation reinforce capitalist power structures or empower citizens? Third World Quarterly, 39 (4). pp. 609-625. ISSN 1360-2241 doi: 10.1080/01436597.2017.1401463

Abstract/Summary

In development practice, how does ‘mutual benefit’ accrue, and to whom? China criticises America for perpetuating capitalist power relations and claims it can seek a new geo-political order based on South-South cooperation. Meanwhile, there has been an extraordinary shift of emphasis toward the private sector as a driver of development, but this shift is attracting increasing criticism. The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) - the only development agency to grow in influence under the Trump administration - is evaluated in the light of these two key themes. Neither China nor the private sector are successful in achieving ‘mutual benefit’ for ordinary citizens – both replicate existing power inequalities. As with the rise of both China and the private sector, the MCC also enmeshes developing countries further into the existing neoliberal capitalist structures. However, the advantages of the agency should not be dismissed outright, as its Ruling Justly and Investing in People indicators can enhance the capacity of citizens to challenge these power structures themselves.

Item Type	Article
URI	https://reading-clone.eprints-hosting.org/id/eprint/73953
Identification Number/DOI	10.1080/01436597.2017.1401463
Refereed	Yes
Divisions	Life Sciences > School of Agriculture, Policy and Development > Department of International Development
Publisher	Taylor and Francis
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