Date of Award:
12-2026
Document Type:
Thesis
Degree Name:
Master of Science (MS)
Department:
Political Science
Committee Chair(s)
Shannon Peterson
Committee
Shannon Peterson
Committee
Jeannie Johnson
Committee
Jia Li
Abstract
After violent conflicts end, communities often receive international support to help rebuild their governments and economies. This study asks whether aid targeted toward physical reconstruction and institutional reform produces measurable outcomes in those areas.
Examining five Western Balkans countries between 2000 and 2021, the study finds that infrastructure aid is associated with improved access to clean water and reductions in displaced populations, while aid directed toward strengthening government institutions shows no measurable association with improvements in government effectiveness within the same period. These findings suggest that in the years immediately following conflict, physical reconstruction produces more observable improvements than institutional programming in material conditions and population stability.
Recommended Citation
Wall, R. Mary, "International Aid and Post-Conflict Recovery in the Western Balkans" (2026). All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present. 943.
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/etd2023/943
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