ABSTRACT
The German program is characterized by several features. It has been one of the largest DAC donors, currently occupying third place behind the United States and France. 1 Without any recent colonial experience to provide linkages for a “natural” set of recipients, Germany has opted instead for a world-wide program, proving assistance to a highly varied set of over 120 nations. Organizationally, the German program is unusual in two respects. First, the administration of development assistance is characterized by the separation between policy decisionmaking, which is the responsibility of the M1nistry of Economic Cooperation (BMZ), and policy implementation, which isthe responsibility of a variety of specialized institutions. Secondly, the program tends to be rather centralized, with a very thin overseas staff.
