The role of natural resources, strategic assets, and human rights in U.S. foreign assistance allocation

Abstract

Why is U.S. human rights policy more lenient toward some countries than others? Employing data from 29 years (1980–2009) across 177 countries in four regression models, I find that the U.S. gives slightly more aid to countries rich in energy resources. I also find that the human rights record of a State has little influence on how much U.S. foreign aid it receives.