RF Annual Report - 1935 - The Rockefeller Foundation

THE SOCIAL SCIENCES
2iy
gram directed explicitly toward better international
relations. This specific program has sought
to bring about more satisfactory international
relations by creating: (a) a fuller understanding
of world affairs among larger sections of the
public, and (b) greater competence in technical
staffs attached to official bodies or governmental
agencies charged with the handling of troublesome
and important international questions. A
program limited to these two approaches cannot,
of course, be expected to produce an immediate
effect upon international policy, but there is an
evident restriction upon the Foundation in attempting
to deal with many factors in the international
situation.
It is believed that there are large possibilities
of improving relations between nations by the
study and dissemination of information upon
the specific causes of friction, especially when
definite
action looking toward improvement
can be proposed. While it is not easy to influence
public opinion in a realm where emotion and
tradition rather than reason often hold sway,
the increase of understanding should yield results.
Sound knowledge of international affairs
has not yet been generally achieved, but there is
an increasing awareness of the complexity and
seriousness of international problems. Some of
the organizations which are receiving Founda-
© 2003 The Rockefeller Foundation