Final answer:
Cosmetic reforms refer to minimal changes by countries to meet foreign aid requirements without real progress in human rights or democracy. Such measures can serve ruling elites and sometimes cause more harm than good, as argued by Professor William Easterly.
Step-by-step explanation:
The phenomenon you are referring to is often called cosmetic reforms, which occur when a country implements superficial or minimal changes in order to fulfill the criteria for receiving foreign aid or to avoid sanctions, without enacting genuine improvements in areas like human rights or democracy. Despite the intended role of international development funding and aid to promote positive change, the actual outcomes can sometimes be counterproductive and may perpetuate the status quo, serving the interests of the ruling elite rather than the general population.
Professor William Easterly highlights that, in some cases, the provision of aid could have unintended collateral damage and do more harm than good. The dynamics of foreign aid must navigate the complex interplay between donor interests, recipient government policies, and the actual needs of the communities they are meant to serve. In some circumstances, these challenges lead to a misallocation of resources and strengthen certain power dynamics, further complicating the path to genuine reform and improvement.