Democratization and Regional Development Banks: A Cross-Continental Comparative Analysis

Christopher A. Hartwell, Anastassia Obydenkova, Vinicius G. Rodrigues Vieira, Department of International Business Policy, ZHAW School of Management and Law, Department of Strategy and International Business, Kozminski University, Institute for Economic Analysis, Spanish National Research Council , Barcelona School of Economics , Graduate Program in Political Science, Brazilian Institute of Education, and Research , São Paulo, Economics and International Relations, Armando Alvares Penteado Foundation, São Paulo, School of International Relations, Getúlio Vargas Foundation, São Paulo, Institute for Advanced Study, University of São Paulo, São Paulo

Political Research Quarterly

Published online on June 17, 2026

Abstract

Political Research Quarterly, Ahead of Print.
The role of foreign aid in diffusing democratic values remains inconclusive. At the same time, membership in intergovernmental organizations (IGOs), containing a strong aid or transfer component, is associated with increasing democracy in their member ...