AGENCY REFORM AS DECISION-PROCESS - THE REENGINEERING OF THE AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

The Agency for International Development (AID), the U.S. Government's principal dispenser of foreign economic assistance, is struggling to d efine its mission in the post Cold War era. AID staff and overseas pre sence has contracted in recent years following 'reinvention' reforms. But reinvention has not clarified the agency's mission nor protected i t from powerful critics..AID's future depends on its ability to develo p a mission that excites popular demand. Agency reformers promote fore ign aid as a means to advance sustainable development in developing co untries. But AID's sustainable development mission lacks credibility b ecause it excludes references to reforms required in post-industrial s ocieties. Participation of U.S. local interests in aid management and more effective promotion of familiar premises for aid (many of them co nsistent with the tenets of sustainable development) are essential ele ments of a revitalized foreign aid program.