CRS-50 of our tremendous economic and political power. Experience has demonstrated that there is a need to inform people of other cultures about American society and about American perceptions of world affairs before they can be expected to comprehend U.S. foreign policy. Although the U.S. private sector plays a major role in communicating these kinds of information to the rest of the world, there may be a need for official programs as well. Many analysts feel that these programs are especially relevant today as the United States fights to uphold the principle of the free flow of information in an increasingly nationalistic world. 1/ This information was supplied by USIA's Budget Office. 2/ USIA was not established as a separate agency until 1953. |