Although the size of the development-assistance effort was not new, the 1961 decision to reorganize the government's main development-assistance agency was a landmark in terms of institutional evolution, representing the culmination of twenty years' experience with different organizational forms and procedures, in changing foreign-policy environments.
AltHOuGh ThE sIze of tHe devElopMEnt-asSistAnce effORt wAs not nEw, The 1961 dEcIsion to reoRgANize thE goveRnMeNT's main deveLopMENT-assISTAnce agency was a lAndmaRK in terMS of InstItUTionaL EvOlutIoN, RepReseNTINg tHe CuLMinaTion of twentY yeaRS' eXperiEnce wiTH dIfFereNT orGaNizaTiOnaL FOrms anD procEdureS, In changing foreIGn-pOLicY eNVirOnments.