Against Aid: A History of Opposition to US Foreign Aid Spending

Against Aid explores the complex and diverse history of opposition to US foreign aid spending, highlighting how critics challenged aid and significantly impacted US foreign policy. It argues that opponents questioned assumptions about the US's global engagement and challenged essential views about national power and purpose, making it an essential text for courses in American politics, international studies, and history of American foreign policy.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 220 pages
Publication date: 02 July 2021
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Against Aid presents a comprehensive and multifaceted history of opposition to US foreign aid spending, delving into the reasons behind critics' challenges and the profound impact they had on US foreign policy. Throughout the Cold War, foreign aid played a pivotal role in the United States' foreign policy objectives. US leaders believed that aid spending could modernize societies, forge strong alliances, and promote global stability. However, there existed steadfast opposition to this aid initiative. In his insightful examination, Jeffrey F. Taffet skillfully explores the opponents of foreign aid and highlights how they questioned the fundamental assumptions underlying the United States' global engagement. He argues that the opponents of aid forced significant changes in US aid programs, resulting in a substantial reduction in overall spending and a curtailment of support for authoritarian regimes. Taffet goes beyond this narrow focus, making a broader argument that the opposition to aid went beyond mere fiscal considerations. It touched upon fundamental questions about the nation's purpose and the appropriate use of national power.

This book is an invaluable resource for courses in American politics, international studies, and the history of American foreign policy. Its broad, chronological scope and accessible narrative make it accessible to students of various academic backgrounds. By delving into the complexities of the opposition to aid, Against Aid provides a deeper understanding of the forces that shape US foreign policy and the broader geopolitical landscape.

In conclusion, Against Aid offers a rich and insightful exploration of the complex history of opposition to US foreign aid spending. Through meticulous research and compelling analysis, Taffet sheds light on the motivations behind critics' challenges and the profound consequences they had on US foreign policy. This book is a must-read for students, scholars, and anyone interested in understanding the dynamics of US global engagement and the broader implications of aid programs.

Weight: 350g
Dimension: 151 x 228 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781138345287