Analysis Of Rostow’s Thinking In US Foreign Aid (1952-1963)

In the1950s and1960s, Modernization Theory prosperously developed under theinfluence of American Government. Numerous scholars of this theory entered intoAmerican decision-making and made important contributions to the foreign policy atthen. Among these researchers, Rostow is one of great representative figures, whoproposed Foreign Aid creatively on the basis of his main theory Stage of EconomicGrowth. Through analyzing the reasons, theoretical foundation and practice situationthis thesis strives to grasp the generation and changes of Rostow’s Foreign Aid at thisperiod.This thesis consists of following parts:In the introduction, it illustrates significance and demarcation of time period ofthis research and related definitions for Foreign Aid. Study works abroad and at homein this field are reviewed at the same time.The first part of the body mainly analyzes the background of Rostow’s ForeignAid. During the Second World War, American has aided Latin America. By the endof the war, this aid respectively experienced following periods: Marshall Plan, PointFour Program, and Mutual Security Acts. As a renowned scholar, Rostow had begunto serve the government for World War II, and gradually formed the famous Stage ofEconomic Growth by himself and developed original Foreign Aid basing on that.The second part describes the core foreign aid ideas of Rostow-“Stage ofEconomic Growth”, sorts out the emergence and development process and the mainideas. As the smash hit theory of “Stage of Economic Growth”, Rostow develop aunique foreign aid ideology by this theory.The third part sorts out the practice situations of Rostow’s Foreign Aid throughoutthe transition between Eisenhower and Kennedy. Because of unconformity withEisenhower Administration’s macroeconomic policy, Rostow’s “the world economicplan” was finally abortive. While as the President Kennedy came into power, Rostowbecame the Deputy Special Assistant to the President for National Security Affairsand played a key role of foreign aids with his theory.The forth part generally gives an evaluation and summary about Rostow’sForeign Aid. Ideology propagating in the context of the Cold War and feature of the combination of unity and flexibility are discussed at this part. It marshals thecomments on spreading “Stage of Economic Growth” and Rostow’s Foreign Aid inAmerica, as well gives a comprehensive evaluation.The result discusses the relation between Rostow’s Foreign Aid with Americanculture and American thinking model, then gives a summary about the relationship ofacademia and government at that period.