Scientific Diplomacy and Neo-Malthusianism: The Role of the Rockefeller Foundation in the Beginnings of Chilean Family Planning

Abstract

This article analyzes the intersection between scientific diplomacy and neo-Malthusianism during the Cold War, focusing on Chile in the 1960s. It argues that scientific diplomacy, by using science and technology for foreign policy purposes, facilitated the transfer of medical and demographic knowledge, establishing itself as a mechanism of soft power. Philanthropic institutions such as the Rockefeller Foundation promoted family planning programs in developing countries, creating academic, governmental, and scientific networks to curb population growth. John D. Rockefeller III’s visit in 1966 highlighted official support for these initiatives, while the creation of local organizations institutionalized family planning within Chilean public health policies.