Cultural Aid and the Cultural Cold War: The Origins of the Ford Foundation's entry into Burma

Abstract

After the beginning of the Cold War, an unprecedented consensus on the Cold War was formed in the United States. Civil organizations represented by the Ford Foundation deeply participated in the cultural Cold War led by the U.S. government through the way of identity reconstruction. In consideration of the Cold War, the Ford Foundation from the very beginning directed a large amount of funds and cultural projects to Asia, rather than to Europe and Latin America, which were traditionally close to the United States. Burma received early attention from the Ford Foundation because of its unique location. At the same time, the government of Burma was trying to maintain national unity and stability by reviving Buddhism, but was struggling with a lack of funds. So the government invited the Ford Foundation to help fund its Pali Project. While the latter agreed to provide cultural assistance to Burma, the ultimate goal was to enhance the understanding and identity of the Burmese people with Western culture, so as to better serve the US Cold War project.