U. S. security assistance to Third World nations: what drives Congressional support?/

Abstract

Since the Vietnam War, Congress has increasingly asserted itself in U.S. foreign policy, including security assistance relationships with Third World nations. This has led to significant conflict between the executive and legislative branches, and the need to explain Congressional voting behavior on security assistance. Using 15 cases including aid to the Contras and El Salvador during the Reagan presidency, this thesis investigates the relative impact of various factors on congressional support for security assistance, including public opinion and the level of Soviet bloc assistance. The research concludes that the most powerful determinant is the Third World government whose behavior congress is trying to change.