In recent decades international aid policy has converged around a set of market-liberal ideals. The fall of the Soviet Union helped to reaffirm this trend whilst also enabling a more radical interventionism in the South. The contemporary aid paradigm can be challenged on a number of theoretical and empirical grounds, but is now, for the first time in two decades, also challenged by a Chinese or Asian alternative model. This volume offers critical analysis into contemporary aid policy and identifies major issues in the Western currents as well as the Asian alternative. Chinese aid is explored with special reference to Africa and with regard to its receptions and consequences on the African continent. The contributions of a distinguished and inter-disciplinary team of area specialists will provide a valuable resource for peer researchers, students and teachers as well as practitioners in the field. (Bookdata)