The Ford Foundation's role in promoting German-American elite networking during the Cold War

The Cold War activities of the Ford Foundation have been subject to many inquiries. However, its prominent role in the promotion of German-American elite networking - as reflected in its relationship with the American Council on Germany (ACG) and the Atlantik-Brücke - has largely been neglected. This article takes a first step in closing this gap by analysing the triangular relationship of the Ford Foundation with these organisations. The article views the Ford Foundation and its grant-recipients ACG and the Atlantik-Brücke as drivers of an evolving transatlantic elite network comprised of private citizens and public figures; a structure that can be conceptualised as state-private network.