On The Adjustments Of U.S. Foreign Aid Policy Towards The Republic Of South Africa After The Cold War

Foreign aid (assistance) is an important and complicated project in contemporaryinternational relations. After World War II, for the demands of the foreign strategy,consideration of economic security and humanitarian needs, the United States hasbeen providing assistance to the Republic of South Africa. After the Cold War, theamount of assistance to South Africa hasn’t reduced because of the end of the ColdWar. During George·H·W·Bush’ administration, U.S. provides aid to South Africamainly through unofficial Channel. As the relationship between the U.S. and SouthAfrica go back on track, President Clinton pays more attention on officialdevelopment. After the events of911, President George W. Bushemphasized AIDSassistance and President Obama stressed child survival and disease assistance. Obamaalso attempt to induct the transformation of the relationship between the United Statesand South Africa to achieve the bilateral strategic partnership. In fact, Judging fromthe overall context of U.S. aid policy to South Africa after the Cold War, the basicpoint of the adjustment of the aid policy has always been around South Africa’ssocio-economic field. Meanwhile, the economic benefits for the United States havebeen reaped and democratic progress of South Africa has been enhanced by economydevelopment. However, the process also brings pernicious effects to the SouthAfrican economy. In short, the adjustment of U.S. foreign aid policy towards SouthAfrica after the Cold War is not entirely based on the United States’ own factors ratherthan the interest of South Africa. The limitations of the policy adjustment havebecome the question of meaning. All of these prompted us to reflect on the reason ofthe adjustment and substance of U.S. foreign aid policy.By applying the scientific research methods, this dissertation analyzes theadjustments of the Adjustments of U.S. Foreign Aid Policy towards the Republic ofSouth Africa after the Cold War, the reasons and the effects of the adjustments inrealistic perspective. It attempts to reveal the true nature of U.S. foreign aid which isthe continuation of its domestic and foreign policies, diplomatic, military andeconomic policies. The United States is the biggest beneficiary of its adjustments which is consistent with the United States national interests. After the Cold War, theUnited States foreign aid to South Africa has been serving economic and strategicpurposes with strong utilitarianism.Certainly, this is also fundamentally explained the reason why U.S. foreign aidpolicy arouses a lot of controversy as well as the source of U.S. assistance to SouthAfrica being repeatedly criticized for more than half a century. There is no denyingthat foreign aid, as a soft tool, has become an effective tool for donor countries toaffect and control the recipient countries so that the recipients actively makescontributions for the development of the donors. Meanwhile, to some extent, therecipient countries gain relative outcome. Therefore, though foreign aid can’tfundamentally solve the issue of development in recipient countries, it will exertinfluences in a long run.