Ashraf Ghani: How to Fix Broken States: TED 2005 Video

"The aid system is broken," says Ashraf Ghani in this powerful, reform-oriented talk. He discusses how to mobilize capital for state-building; why technical assistance fails; and why classic economic theory proved useless in Afghanistan, which is "dominated by the drug economy and a mafia." He outlines the 10 key tasks of a functioning state, from providing infrastructure to the rule of law. And, finally, he argues for investment, not handouts: "A dollar in private investment is equal to 20 dollars of aid," he says.