Political and Economic Factors Influencing Economic Support Fund Programs

摘要

The Economic Support Fund has grown rapidly, relative to other programs of U.S. economic assistance. Higher amounts of Economic Support Fund aid have been requested to fund assistance to an increasing number of countries. This growth has been in response to a weak world economy and the application of the Economic Support Fund to a widening range of U.S. foreign policy objectives. The Fund can be structured and used in ways that specifically address U.S. and recipient country strategic, economic, and development goals. As such, the economic need for the aid has been questioned for some countries. This report discusses and analyzes factors which influence the funding levels and structuring of individual country programs.