College - Author 1
College of Liberal Arts
Department - Author 1
Social Sciences Department
Degree Name - Author 1
BS in Anthropology and Geography
Date
3-2026
Primary Advisor
Benjamin Timms, College of Liberal Arts, Social Sciences Department
Abstract/Summary
This paper is inspired by, and meant to understand, recent changes in global policy towards foreign aid and international development. 2025 saw one of the biggest changes to international development in decades, when President Donald Trump’s new administration made the decision to effectively shut down the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). At the same time, China has been taking on a growing role in foreign aid and development over the last decade. Chinese projects like the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) have become globally significant. This paper will explore the changing impacts and influence of both the U.S. and China in how they are approaching international development. First a summary of development theory and history will be given, in addition to the history and impact of USAID. Criticisms of USAID will also be discussed. The rise of China’s global influence through programs like the BRI will be examined in comparison to changing U.S. foreign policy. Finally, this paper will discuss what impacts these changes could have and the possible role of international development and aid going forward.
URL: https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/socssp/177
Included in
Economic Policy Commons, Global Studies Commons, Growth and Development Commons, Human Geography Commons, International Relations Commons