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Editorial
August 24, 1954
The Farmville Herald And Farmer Leader
Farmville, Prince Edward County, Virginia
What is this article about?
In a Gloucester, Mass. statement on Aug. 19, Roger Babson critiques US foreign policy, arguing that despite billions in aid like the Marshall Plan, efforts to promote American ideals have failed due to poor diplomacy, misunderstanding foreign needs, and inadequate salesmanship by officials.
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Babson Discusses
Our
Foreign
Policy
Gloucester, Mass., Aug. 19. I am disturbed by the recent trend in our foreign relations. Despite the expenditure of billions of dollars abroad in military and economic aid, we have not been having much success in selling America and American ideals to other peoples.
Our foreign relief and rehabilitation programs, including the great Marshall Plan which, together with Point Four, did so much to put Western Europe back on its feet, were good ideas. They stimulated economic activity here at home and they aided countless millions of people in Europe and Asia. But they served also to antagonize some people abroad to create mistrust.
Poor Sales Work
In other words, our Government spent much time, effort and money on a big promotional campaign that almost fizzled. Why? I think we failed because our official personnel abroad—our salesmen, if you will—did not know exactly what they were selling and did not trouble to ascertain the real needs of the foreign countries which were their customers. That was not good diplomacy, or good politics, or good business. Although we are a mighty nation we cannot afford such poor sales performances.
Our foreign policy has been directed by a number of very capable men. I do not blame them for the fact that it has backfired so often in recent years. They have had hard sledding, with crisis following upon crisis. They improvised, and perhaps did the best they could. Meanwhile, the
Our
Foreign
Policy
Gloucester, Mass., Aug. 19. I am disturbed by the recent trend in our foreign relations. Despite the expenditure of billions of dollars abroad in military and economic aid, we have not been having much success in selling America and American ideals to other peoples.
Our foreign relief and rehabilitation programs, including the great Marshall Plan which, together with Point Four, did so much to put Western Europe back on its feet, were good ideas. They stimulated economic activity here at home and they aided countless millions of people in Europe and Asia. But they served also to antagonize some people abroad to create mistrust.
Poor Sales Work
In other words, our Government spent much time, effort and money on a big promotional campaign that almost fizzled. Why? I think we failed because our official personnel abroad—our salesmen, if you will—did not know exactly what they were selling and did not trouble to ascertain the real needs of the foreign countries which were their customers. That was not good diplomacy, or good politics, or good business. Although we are a mighty nation we cannot afford such poor sales performances.
Our foreign policy has been directed by a number of very capable men. I do not blame them for the fact that it has backfired so often in recent years. They have had hard sledding, with crisis following upon crisis. They improvised, and perhaps did the best they could. Meanwhile, the
What sub-type of article is it?
Foreign Affairs
What keywords are associated?
Foreign Policy
Marshall Plan
Foreign Aid
Diplomacy
American Ideals
Economic Assistance
Mistrust Abroad
What entities or persons were involved?
Roger Babson
Marshall Plan
Point Four
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Critique Of Us Foreign Aid And Diplomacy Effectiveness
Stance / Tone
Disturbed And Critical
Key Figures
Roger Babson
Marshall Plan
Point Four
Key Arguments
Billions Spent On Foreign Aid Have Not Successfully Promoted American Ideals
Aid Programs Like Marshall Plan Aided Europe And Asia But Created Mistrust Abroad
Government's Promotional Efforts Failed Due To Poor Understanding Of Foreign Needs
Official Personnel Abroad Acted As Ineffective Salesmen
Such Diplomacy Is Poor Politics And Business
Capable Policymakers Faced Crises And Improvised But Policy Often Backfired