Presents the case justifying U.S. withdrawal from UNESCO. Discusses the range of support for this action among U.S. groups of various political orientations and other Western nations, the lack of any attempt at reform at UNESCO during the one-year waiting period before finalization of withdrawal, and circumstances under which the United States…

Examines U.S. criticisms of UNESCO that led to U.S. withdrawal from the organization last year and the extent of the damage done to UNESCO and to U.S. influence and international relations. Contrasts charges of inefficiency with UNESCO's global educational accomplishments. Suggests that many see the withdrawal as further proof of growing U.S.…

Analyzes factors leading to the withdrawal from UNESCO of the United States, its leading financial contributor. Discusses the organization's structural contradiction (a majority of members contributing 1% of total funding), limited participation by successive U.S. administrations, organizational bureaucracy and mismanagement, indifference to U.S.…

Discusses the role of international organizations such as UNESCO in promoting information exchange in the modern world system. Examines and refutes U.S. allegations that UNESCO has become "politicized," is highly inefficient, and supports media censorship. Calls for continued support of UNESCO by Western European countries and the…

Disputes claims that international scholarly exchanges are largely instruments of propaganda. Focuses on historical and contemporary concepts of diplomacy, and considers differing perspectives of international educational and cultural exchange programs as autonomous entities, part of public diplomacy, or components of propaganda. Uses…

The author suggests an agenda for comparative education research based on the metropolitan-hinterland paradigm, which emphasizes the economic and cultural exploitation of the Third World by rich nations. This is a revised text of the presidential address delivered at the 23rd Conference of the Comparative and International Education Society. (SJL)