Title 22Foreign Relations and IntercourseRelease 119-73

§2218 Utilization of democratic institutions in development

Title 22 › Chapter CHAPTER 32— - FOREIGN ASSISTANCE › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER I— - INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT › Part Part II— - Other Programs › Subpart subpart ix— - utilization of democratic institutions in development › § 2218

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

Programs must focus on making sure people in developing countries take part in their own economic development by supporting democratic private groups and local governments. They must match help to each country’s needs and use local experts to build home‑grown institutions. They must also teach civic skills and train people to take part in government and politics. Research and program reviews must study political and social barriers to development and how aid can support democratic trends. The agency in charge must train its staff about these goals, and up to 1 percent of authorized grant funds may be used for that training.

Full Legal Text

Title 22, §2218

Foreign Relations and Intercourse — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)In carrying out programs authorized in this part and part I of this subchapter, emphasis shall be placed on assuring maximum participation in the task of economic development on the part of the people of the developing countries, through the encouragement of democratic private and local governmental institutions.
(b)In order to carry out the purposes of this section programs under this part and part I of this subchapter shall—
(1)recognize the differing needs, desires, and capacities of the people of the respective developing countries and areas;
(2)use the intellectual resources of such countries and areas in conjunction with assistance provided under this chapter so as to encourage the development of indigenous institutions that meet their particular requirements for sustained economic and social progress; and
(3)support civic education and training in skills required for effective participation in governmental and political processes essential to self-government.
(c)In the allocation of funds for research under this part and part I of this subchapter, emphasis shall be given to research designed to examine the political, social, and related obstacles to development in countries receiving assistance under subchapter I of this chapter. In particular, emphasis should be given to research designed to increase understanding of the ways in which development assistance can support democratic social and political trends in recipient countries.
(d)Emphasis shall also be given to the evaluation of relevant past and current programs under subchapter I of this chapter and to applying this experience so as to strengthen their effectiveness in implementing the objectives of this section.
(e)In order to carry out the purposes of this section, the agency primarily responsible for administering subchapter I of this chapter shall develop systematic programs of inservice training to familiarize its personnel with the objectives of this section and to increase their knowledge of the political and social aspects of development. In addition to other funds available for such purposes, not to exceed 1 per centum of the funds authorized to be appropriated for grant assistance under this part and part I of this subchapter may be used for carrying out the objectives of this subsection.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

References in Text

This chapter, referred to in subsec. (b)(2), was in the original “this Act”, meaning Pub. L. 87–195, Sept. 4, 1961, 75 Stat. 424, known as the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see

Short Title

note set out under section 2151 of this title and Tables.

Amendments

1978—Subsecs. (a), (b), (c), (e). Pub. L. 95–424 inserted “and part 1 of this subchapter” after “this part”. 1968—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 90–554, § 106(a), emphasized research designed to increase understanding of ways in which development assistance can support democratic social and political trends in recipient countries. Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 90–554, § 106(b), added subsec. (e). 1967—Pub. L. 90–137 designated existing provisions as subsec. (a) and added subsecs. (b) to (d).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

References to Subchapter I Deemed To Include Certain Parts of Subchapter IIReferences to subchapter I of this chapter are deemed to include parts IV (§ 2346 et seq.), VI (§ 2348 et seq.), and VIII (§ 2349aa et seq.) of subchapter II of this chapter, and references to subchapter II are deemed to exclude such parts. See section 202(b) of Pub. L. 92–226, set out as a note under section 2346 of this title, and section 2348c and 2349aa–5 of this title. References to Part I Deemed To Include section 2293References to part I of this subchapter are deemed to include a reference to section 2293 of this title. See section 2293(d)(1) of this title.

Effective Date

of 1978 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 95–424 effective Oct. 1, 1978, see section 605 of Pub. L. 95–424, set out as a note under section 2151 of this title.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

22 U.S.C. § 2218

Title 22Foreign Relations and Intercourse

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73