AMERICAN FOREIGN AID AS A COMPONENT OF US FOREIGN POLICY SINCE 1945

Abstract

The article explores the role of American foreign aid as a critical component of U.S. foreign policy since 1945. The debate surrounding U.S. foreign aid has intensified in recent years, particularly in light of the Russia-Ukraine war in 2022 and the attacks on Israel in 2023. These debates often neglect the foundational theories of international relations, such as realism, which argue that donor countries prioritize their strategic interests over the needs of recipient nations. A significant gap in quantitative research addressing these assumptions leads to politicized discussions in donor-recipient negotiations. The existing literature on U.S. foreign aid predominantly highlights the Marshall Plan’s success, often attributing it to the United States’ role in global development. However, aid priorities have shifted, reflecting domestic policy changes and the political landscape. For instance, the Carter administration emphasized human rights, while the Reagan administration focused on promoting democracy. Despite these overarching trends, the impact of the party controlling the White House and Congress on aid allocation remains underexplored. Additionally, there is a notable gap in the literature concerning the nature and institutional mechanisms through which U.S. aid is administered, mainly how these structures influence aid’s effectiveness and strategic orientation. This article analyzes the U.S. aid allocation system through the lens of American foreign policy concepts. It seeks to address the gap in the literature regarding the specific impact of donor strategic interests and the democratic status of recipient countries on U.S. foreign aid policies. The study also examines U.S. foreign aid’s historical transitions and contemporary implications, especially in the post-9/11 era. The research reveals that U.S. foreign aid has consistently aligned with national interests, promoting democracy, economic growth, and maintaining a favorable global order. The study emphasizes the significant role of security assistance, which accounts for a substantial part of U.S. foreign aid budgets, and the strategic imperative to support both friendly and unfriendly regimes during the Cold War. The institutionalization of U.S. foreign aid has led to a perception among recipient states that such aid is a reliable and symbolic gesture of support. The study underscores the complexity of U.S. foreign aid policies and their profound implications for global diplomacy. It advocates for more comprehensive research to understand the long-term effects of U.S. foreign aid on recipient countries, particularly concerning economic development, democratization, and political stability. Future research should also explore the role of non-state actors and international organizations in shaping U.S. foreign aid policies and incorporate quantitative analyses to test assumptions about the strategic interests behind aid distribution. Additionally, further studies should focus on U.S. aid’s nature and institutional mechanisms, providing a deeper understanding of how these structures impact policy outcomes and international relations.