Faculty Sponsor(s)
Jeff Summers
Location
Jereld R. Nicholson Library: Grand Avenue
Subject Area
Economics
Description
What traits must a state have to donate more humanitarian aid, and why do they do so? Research into this question often uses case studies to find answers. However, we seek to study the aggregate factors affecting a country's propensity to provide humanitarian aid. Using data from 183 countries over a 13-year period between 2001-2013, we estimate a linear regression model in which humanitarian aid is a function of GDP per capita, trade openness, economic freedoms, political freedoms, and civil liberties. The results conclude that a percent increase in GDP per capita will induce a nearly 3% increase in humanitarian aid per capita, while increases in civil liberties will reduce the amount of humanitarian aid per capita donated.
Recommended Citation
Whitson, Shane R., "Who Gives? The Determinants of Humanitarian Aid" (2016). Linfield University Student Symposium: A Celebration of Scholarship and Creative Achievement. Event. Submission 45.
https://digitalcommons.linfield.edu/symposium/2016/all/45
Who Gives? The Determinants of Humanitarian Aid
Jereld R. Nicholson Library: Grand Avenue
What traits must a state have to donate more humanitarian aid, and why do they do so? Research into this question often uses case studies to find answers. However, we seek to study the aggregate factors affecting a country's propensity to provide humanitarian aid. Using data from 183 countries over a 13-year period between 2001-2013, we estimate a linear regression model in which humanitarian aid is a function of GDP per capita, trade openness, economic freedoms, political freedoms, and civil liberties. The results conclude that a percent increase in GDP per capita will induce a nearly 3% increase in humanitarian aid per capita, while increases in civil liberties will reduce the amount of humanitarian aid per capita donated.
