Philanthropic Foundations at the League of Nations: An Americanized League?

This book explores the relationship between US philanthropic foundations and the League of Nations, challenging the notion that the US was not a de jure member. It argues that the financial, human, and intellectual investment of foundations led to the US's de facto integration within the League system and modified its architecture. The book describes the Americanization of the League and analyzes the role of European experts in the postwar international order.

Format: Hardback
Length: 214 pages
Publication date: 25 March 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This comprehensive analysis delves into the intricate relationships between the United States philanthropic foundations, particularly the Rockefeller Foundation and the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, and the League of Nations. For generations, it has been widely accepted that the United States, having played a pivotal role in the establishment of the League of Nations in 1919, chose not to join the organization and remained aloof from its activities throughout the interwar period. However, this book challenges this notion and presents a compelling argument that, despite the United States not being a de jure member of the League of Nations, the significant financial, human, and intellectual investment of these foundations played a crucial role in effectively integrating the United States into the League system and subsequently modifying its architectural framework.

The book unfolds the process of Americanization of the League, highlighting how it emerged through three strategic approaches pursued during the interwar period: those of the US foundations, the Secretariat, and the US federal government. It explores the profound impact of these strategies on shaping the League's operations and its overall direction. Furthermore, the book sheds light on the limitations of this Americanization and delves into the critical role played by European experts in the collaborative production of the postwar international order alongside the United States government.

This book holds immense appeal to historians, political scientists, undergraduate, and graduate students engaged in interdisciplinary programs of international relations. Its detailed examination of the complex interplay between philanthropic foundations, the League of Nations, and the broader geopolitical landscape offers valuable insights into the historical dynamics and the shaping of international institutions. By exploring the nuances of these relationships, readers will gain a deeper understanding of the complex web of factors that contributed to the construction of the modern international system and the enduring legacies of the League of Nations.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367075293