An introduction to the new Bank and Fund Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers.
Briefings
IFI governance
Analysis
The World Bank And The State: A Recipe For Change?
Bretton Woods Project-commissioned riposte to the World Bank’s World Development Report, The State in a Changing World. (March 1998).
WB/IMF roles
Analysis
Blind Leading The Blind: Capital Account Liberalisation And The Role Of The IMF
In the light of the financial crisis in South East Asia and the traumur this brought to many people’s lives in the region it was anticipated that the executive directors of the international monetary fund would discuss a proposal to extend the IMF’s articles of agreement so that it can pursue capital account liberalisation in member countries.
Knowledge
Analysis
World Development reports: The Preparation Process
The World Bank’s World Development reports are written and marketed giving the impression that they convey broadly held views and contain objective research. Many civil society organisations feel, however, that they are selective and biased and that the Bank sees them largely as a tool for self-promotion and self-justification. Outlines proposals for clarifying and improving this situation (April 1998).
Finance
Analysis
Preface: “Drowning By Numbers”
This paper considers whether private sector flows is an effective alternative to development assistance. It examines the implications of increased private sector inflows in terms of the potential to create unsustainable debt burdens and to tie the hands of policy makers to a limited set of policies critical for foreign investors but potentially detrimental to the domestic economy.
Conditionality
Analysis
A Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing
In January 1999, Wolfensohn revealed the Comprehensive Development Framework, which frames his agenda for the Bank. This is a short examination of some of the issues raised by this announcement (July 1999).
Finance
Analysis
Drowning By Numbers - Executive Summary
This paper considers whether private sector flows is an effective alternative to development assistance. It examines the implications of increased private sector inflows in terms of the potential to create unsustainable debt burdens and to tie the hands of policy makers to a limited set of policies critical for foreign investors but potentially detrimental to the domestic economy.
Knowledge
Analysis
The power of World Bank knowledge
For the enormous power and global reach the World Bank has today, relatively little formal debate exists on one critical aspect of its practices - the production of knowledge.
Rights
Analysis
The power of World Bank knowledge
By Michael Goldman * For the enormous power and global reach the World Bank has…
Environment
Analysis
World Bank and IMF: Dilemmas and Opportunities
Are the World Bank and IMF now taking environmental and social issues seriously?
Environment
Analysis
Questioning the World Bank/IMF Growth Model
Questioning the Growth Model was a meeting organised jointly by the Bretton Woods Project and…
Conditionality
Analysis
The “Perestroika Of Aid”? New Perspectives On Conditionality
This report considers the factors which have led to a proliferation of conditionality and the growing acceptance that it is not an effective tool for persuading governments to make reforms. It proposes that an alternative is to encourage “ownership” and to base lending agreements on “poverty focused” programmes developed at the national level (1999).
