Imagine: The common good

'I propose a common "offer" to countries that are engaged in imagining a joined-up foreign, trade, defence and development policy framework', says the author

In recent years, Canada, Australia and the UK have merged their independent aid ministries with their foreign ministries. Germany and other countries are also considering such a merger. 

Increased efficiency and cross-government coherence are the typical reasons adduced for such a move. But, to me, it is clear that what impels such a merger is the implicit acceptance that aid is an instrument that serves the national interest, much as defence and foreign policy do.

Some countries, like the US, France and India, have always accepted that development-cooperation spending furthers their international country objectives. But these objectives are framed to