ABSTRACT
This chapter traces the evolution of diplomatic/strategic goals through five periods of American foreign Agency for International Development (AID): those of the Post-War Relief activities of 1946 to 1948, the Marshall Plan of 1949 to 1952, the Mutual Security Act of 1953 to 1961, the Foreign Assistance Act from 1962 to 1972, and the Foreign Assistance Act under the Basic Human Needs mandate from 1973 to 1979. Reduced funding for Development Assistance activities in a period guided by strong Basic Human Needs legislation can be seen as a paradox only if one focuses on this legislation as the expression of the primary function of foreign aid. The clarity of over-arching goal, and the strong support existing for it within the US Government and in American public opinion, allowed the maintenance of this irregular and temporary mechanism for the transfer of Official Development Assistance outside the traditional foreign policy structure.
