HAYWARDS HEATH, United Kingdom — The United Kingdom (U.K.) government recognizes the impact of international aid on British diplomacy and the nation’s position on the global stage. It has launched an inquiry into the strengths of the U.K.’s soft power compared with other nations and how it complements the government’s wider foreign policy objectives. While the U.K. is traditionally a world leader in soft power, the cuts to the Official Development Assistance (ODA) risk undermining this strength, according to Sarah Champion, chair of the International Development Committee and member of parliament (MP) for Rotherham. These concerns are shared by leaders of 138 nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) across the U.K. and are supported by studies from the International Monetary Fund and Brand Finance showing a decline in British soft power in recent years.
The same aid reduction that has caused this decline has also provided the opportunity for increased Chinese and Russian influence, something the British government recognizes and is eager to avoid. Neither country will fill the gaps in international aid, but they will present themselves as reliable development partners for countries in the Global South through China’s Belt and Road Initiative and Russia’s international conferences against the West. The prospect of rival nations increasing their influence concerns politicians such as Alison Bennett, Liberal Democrat MP for Mid Sussex, who spoke with The Borgen Project saying: “Money talks, and if you walk away from that financial support you absolutely open the door to other nations which we have seen.” The most effective way for the U.K. to surpass the potential growth of influence of China and Russia is through increased international aid.
Benefits of International Aid
Increased U.K. international aid can enhance British diplomacy, geopolitical relations and soft power, thereby improving the nation’s long-term security and national interests. Improved relations and soft power will be critical for the U.K. in securing cooperation and support from other nations, especially as political shifts toward autocracy and extremism become more accepted.
The political benefits to be gained from international aid have been clearly demonstrated throughout the last 80 years. Aid became geopolitical during the Cold War, with both the United States (U.S.) and the Soviet Union courting favor among non-aligned countries to increase their influence. Following the 9/11 attacks in New York, President Bush doubled the size of the Peace Corps to improve America’s image in Islamic countries and the U.S.’ national security. Additionally, effective aid can secure financial as well as political benefits for donor nations, with the U.K.’s Global Better Health Programme having a benefit-cost ratio of 1.3:1.
British Diplomacy in Action: Colombia
Johnny Welsh, former diplomat and Head of Press and Public Affairs at the British Embassy in Colombia between 1992 and 2001, spoke with The Borgen Project about the impact of U.K. international aid on British diplomacy and soft power in the South American nation. The embassy promoted a positive image of the U.K. in Colombia in various ways, “These included: ‘British Weeks’—weeklong events in Colombia’s major cities promoting British culture, education, sport and industry; the provision of U.K.-produced high-quality radio and TV programs free to Colombian media outlets.” Welsh also highlighted how Britain provided aid to Colombian coffee farmers battling against the devastating impact of the coffee berry borer (Hypothenemus hampei), which continues to plague the Colombian coffee industry, investing more than £5 million into a project to protect the plants and control the borer.
This level of investment was not limited to Colombia, with the U.K. spending £15 million on direct coffee research and development projects in 15 developing countries between 1987 and 2001. Ultimately, the effective and continued use of British soft power and foreign aid in Colombia has led to the establishment of a strong and mutually beneficial diplomatic relationship between both nations, embodied by support in the United Nations (UN) Security Council and renewed sustainability collaboration and commitments to peace.
Hope for the Future
As the relationship between Colombia and the U.K. demonstrates, soft power gained through aid can be a highly effective and beneficial diplomatic tool for achieving desired outcomes and implementing political influence. While damage has been done by the recent ODA cuts, the losses of prestige and soft power are not irreversible. The fact that the U.K. government has established an inquiry into the U.K.’s soft power attests to the recognition of its importance and the desire to strengthen it. This recognition of the mutual gains of international aid for both the recipient and donor nations could lead the British government to restore and increase the ODA budget. A reversal of policy will be made further likely by increased public awareness of and support for greater levels of U.K. soft power in recognition of the impact of U.K. international aid on British diplomacy.
– Sean Patrick Welsh
Sean is based in Haywards Heath, UK and focuses on Politics for The Borgen Project.
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