This thesis presents a critical evaluation of the Alliance for Progress. Particular emphasis is placed on the main difficulties and failures that the Alliance has had during its first years of existence. However, certain specific advances occurring during this first period of the Alliance deserve mention. Attention is given to the relationships between economic assistance and economic growth, and to the reasons for the failure of the Alliance. The first part of the thesis gives the adequate background for a better understanding of the second part, which makes a severe examination of the accomplishments of the Alliance. / Master of Arts