An important movement related to globalization and the world’s systems of international trade and finance is the rise of foreign assistance. humanitarian aid, and international development. On the surface, history tells that these initiatives were sparked in response to global inequality and suffering. It is unmistakable they have helped with global poverty reduction, human rights, equality, and emergency relief; and still do. But the story becomes more complex when we see how they are closely linked to economic global power and continued ideologies of colonialism.

4.3.1 The rise of foreign assistance, humanitarian aid, and international development

Foreign assistance is aid given by a national government to countries in need. It supports global peace, security, and development efforts, and provides humanitarian relief during times of crisis. Often this foreign assistance promotes the global leadership of the donating country and is prompted by strategic, economic, and moral interests.

Humanitarian aid efforts alleviate suffering and mitigate the effects of disaster. They are provided by government and non governmental organizations for a short-term until longer-term help can be provided by local governments or other institutions. The unhoused, refugees, and victims of natural disasters, wars, and famines are all considered recipients of humanitarian aid. Often humanitarian aid and foreign aid are provided simultaneously and in concert with each other as they each are designed as short term aid.

Closely linked to humanitarian aid and foreign assistance, is international development. This refers to the government agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), philanthropy from private businesses and individuals working to address poverty and inequality. International development also refers to the social movements and research related to addressing poverty and inequality. Humanitarian aid and foreign assistance differs from development work in that development seeks to address the underlying socioeconomic factors which may have led to a crisis or emergency.

In Chapter 3 we wrote that the term development had connotations of superiority and expressed an ethnocentric view of other nations and their cultures. We’ll continue to refer to it here to discuss the industry that has developed around its meaning.

4.3.1.1 History of foreign assistance and humanitarian aid

In early 2022, as Russia invaded Ukraine, almost immediately humanitarian agencies and governments positioned themselves to provide assistance to refugees and victims of what many feared would become a full-scale war (Figure 4.8). This response is the result of centuries of moral worldview and humanitarian action. Philosophies of humanitarian action stem from many belief systems; the Islamic tradition of Zakat, the concept of Christian charity, and ideas of ethical wartime conduct as outlined by the Chinese, Greeks and Romans.

Figure 4.8. Ukraine: An internally displaced person and crowd with a member of the United Nations Refugee Agency.

Humanitarian aid carries with it a lot of cultural and political influence. One of the earliest occurrences of modern foreign assistance existed in response to the Northern Chinese Famine of 1876-79. News arrived in England of the suffering in the area which prompted Roman Catholic and Protestant churches to send missionaries for relief. The Chinese government feared the missionaries would leverage the crisis to spread Christianity and adopt and Christianize orphaned children. So, in response, they competed with the missionaries by increasing their assistance (Rysaback-Smith, 2015 ).

The first major U.S. aid program took place shortly after World War II to support Europe in rebuilding infrastructure, stabilizing the region, and strengthening the economy. In decades after the war, there was a significant increase in the number of aid agencies as nations realized that there was a need for an established and organized system for international assistance. The United Nations was the first permanent international organization with the mandate to protect vulnerable populations and maintain peace (Rysaback-Smith, 2015).

4.3.1.2 History of international development

As the industry of humanitarian aid grew, it began to focus on what was then termed the “Third World” countries. Soon the ideas of development and underdevelopment began to be a focus of international organizations, sparking the industry of international development (Rysaback-Smith 2015).

When John F. Kennedy was president of the US, he was looking for ways to promote rapid economic development in the “Third World”. Economists serving as his advisors promoted a theory that could be used to challenge Marxist ideologies, and repel communist advances that were of concern at the time. From this theory the organizations Alliance for Progress in Latin America, the Peace Corps, Food for Peace, and the Agency for International Development (AID) were established. Kennedy declared the 1960s the “Development Decade” and increased the budget for foreign assistance significantly.

4.3.2 Global Institutions and Systems

A number of global organizations were shaped to support this era of foreign assistance, humanitarian aid and development. Often they have a mixed mission that touches all three initiatives.

4.3.2.1 US and International Institutions

Nearly all governments of the richer nations dedicate funding to foreign assistance, humanitarian aid and development. Today, many of the largest US projects are guided with strategic direction from the USAID and the Department of State (DoS). The U.S. government also directs and funds development initiatives through non governmental organizations (NGOs) abroad. Agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Department of Defense (DoD) implement the goals of the larger U.S. development initiatives.

USAID’s stated mission is to promote democratic values abroad and advance a free, peaceful, and prosperous world. Their in-country missions manage partnerships with organizations and act as de facto diplomats for democracy abroad.

The U.S. The Department of State (DoS) advises the President and leads the nation in foreign policy issues. The DoS negotiates treaties and agreements with foreign entities, and represents the United States at the United Nations. Within DoS, the Office of U.S. Foreign Assistance Resources leads the coordination of U.S. foreign assistance. It advances U.S. national interest and development objectives by coordinating policy, planning, and performance management efforts; promoting evidence-informed decision making; and providing strategic direction for the DoS and USAID foreign assistance resources.

The U.S. Department of Treasury supports global development progress as well as U.S. national security and economic interests overseas by promoting strong financial sector stability and governance in developing countries. Through the Treasury, the U.S. also exercises leadership in international financial institutions such as the World Bank, and other regional development banks.

Internationally based organizations dedicated to foreign assistance, humanitarian aid and development include European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), the European Council, the United Nations, The World Health Organization, The International Committee of the Red Cross, Oxfam, and Doctors Without Borders. They also include think tanks such as the Council on Foreign Relations and European Council on Foreign Relations.

4.3.2.2 Militarism and policing

Another set of international bodies that has evolved since the ‘60s is related to militarism and policing. These bodies also have a dual role of supporting the implementation of humanitarian ideals and defending national interests.

One example is the ​​North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO); an intergovernmental military alliance between 28 European states, the United States, and Canada. It was set up in the aftermath of World War II with member states agreeing to defend each other against attacks by third parties. The United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) is another example; it works to protect civilians, prevent conflict, reduce violence, and strengthen security for countries in turmoil.