John Norris Authors

John Norris

John Norris is the author of The Enduring Struggle: The History of the U.S. Agency for International Development and America’s Uneasy Transformation of the World. In addition to being an author, John Norris has served in a number of senior roles in government, international institutions, and nonprofits. He currently works at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation – although the views expressed here are entirely his own.

Latest Articles

The Future of US Aid
The Future of US Aid
Opinion: USAID at 60
3 Nov 2021
In an excerpt from his new book, John Norris explores the thorny questions around the role of the U.S Agency for International Development.
Foreign Aid and American Public Opinion
Foreign Aid and American Public Opinion
Special feature: American public opinion on aid in the Trump era
29 Aug 2017
In this third part of our series on American public opinion of foreign aid, now comes the question on most readers' minds: what does this wealth of polling data tell us about the public’s opinion of foreign assistance during the Trump presidency? And perhaps more importantly, what can and should the development community do about it?
Foreign Aid and American Public Opinion
Foreign Aid and American Public Opinion
Special feature: Ghana, grandma and the factors affecting American public opinion on foreign aid
22 Aug 2017
In part two of this three part series, Devex contributor John Norris analyzes why Americans might think the aid budget is bigger than it is and offers insights that can make messaging around aid much more effective.
Foreign Aid and American Public Opinion
Foreign Aid and American Public Opinion
Special feature: A history of American public opinion on foreign aid
15 Aug 2017
In part one of this three part series, Devex contributor John Norris examines 60 years of polling data and the often surprising history of how the American public has viewed aid programs.
A history of US foreign aid
A history of US foreign aid
President Obama and his development legacy
12 Jul 2016
Despite all the sturm and drang, President Barack Obama successfully maintained the historic increase of U.S. assistance levels made during the Bush administration, a rather remarkable feat considering a global recession, ongoing turmoil in the Middle East and Afghanistan, and a Republican-led Congress that at times seemed to veer into nihilism.
A history of US foreign aid
A history of US foreign aid
President Bush and his development legacy
5 Jul 2016
On balance the Bush administration brought great sweeping, almost operatic, successes and failures and a nearly unrivaled boom in resources. It was a track record that naturally lent itself to discussions of legacies both good and bad.
USAID: A History of US Foreign Aid, Part 5/5
USAID: A History of US Foreign Aid, Part 5/5
Lessons for the future
23 Jul 2014
So what do we learn from looking back at the evolution of leadership at USAID and the track records of respective administrators? Several things stand out.
USAID: A History of US Foreign Aid, Part 4/5
USAID: A History of US Foreign Aid, Part 4/5
Sept. 11 and beyond
23 Jul 2014
Despite the fervor of the post-9/11 ideology at that time, this period saw the launch of notable initiatives and reforms, including PEPFAR and USAID Forward.
USAID: A History of US Foreign Aid, Part 3/5
USAID: A History of US Foreign Aid, Part 3/5
The clashes of the 1990s
23 Jul 2014
This decade is perhaps the most tumultuous in USAID history, as Brian Atwood fought for the agency’s survival.
USAID: A History of US Foreign Aid, Part 2/5
USAID: A History of US Foreign Aid, Part 2/5
The Cold War and its aftermath
23 Jul 2014
The period between 1969 and 1993 saw USAID having some of its best — and unarguably its worst — administrators in its history, thus far.
See all articles by John Norris