This paper is a product of a current research project which examines the uses and limitations of donor conditionality as a way of bringing about improved economic policies in developing countries.

Although they are not often thought of as 'adjusting' economies, this paper shows that most of the countries of South-East Asia have undergone adjustment programmes. The main issue addressed here is the role of donor conditionality in the design and execution of these. The countries studied are Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, South Korea and Thailand.