Civil society finds lack of progressivity at first tax and development conference hosted by Tax Platform, as governments are left out of political negotiations and hopes of G77 for global tax body appear to fizzle out.
IMF
Conditionality
Analysis
The impacts of IMF-backed austerity on women’s rights in Brazil
The IMF and World Bank-endorsed 20 year spending freeze in Brazil disproportionately impacts women and other marginalised groups, despite less harmful alternatives being available
Conditionality
Background
Miriam Brett joins BWP as International Development Finance Project Manager
Miriam Brett will manage BWP's work on areas relating to international development finance, with a focus on macroeconomic scrutiny of the IMF
Conditionality
News
New IMF conditionality database launched
Team of UK academics launch new, freely available IMF conditionality database.
Conditionality
Analysis
Pro-poor or anti-poor? The World Bank and IMF’s approach to social protection
Stephen Kidd critiques Bretton Woods Institutions' approach to targeted social protection systems, arguing the poor lose out the most.
Conditionality
Analysis
World Bank report on fiscal adjustment in Brazil: questionable analysis; unfair policies
The World Bank’s report on public spending in Brazil raises serious questions about the methodology used and relevance of the report’s focus on fiscal consolidation in light of its own admission that the deterioration of Brazil’s fiscal situation is due principally to the recession.
Conditionality
Commentary
Tunisians take to the streets over IMF-imposed austerity
Despite claiming to no longer support austerity, the IMF has imposed damaging cutbacks on the people of Tunisia as part of its loan conditionality, leading to widespread discontent on Tunisian streets.
Accountability
Analysis
The IMF in insecure fragile states: why being absent should no longer be an option
While there is scope to improve IMF operations in all fragile states, ahead of the forthcoming publication of the IMF IEO review of IMF work in fragile states, there is one fundamental change it must make to transform its effectiveness in fragile states: wherever it is possible, it must be present. No country should be left out.
Knowledge
Background
Recommended resources on the World Bank and IMF: 2017
The Bretton Woods Project's selection of the best books, reports and other resources on the World Bank and IMF from 2017.
IFI governance
Analysis
The Bank and IMF in 2017: Year in Review
While the Fund and Bank defended trade and globalisation, their rhetoric focused on the perils of inequality and need for inclusive growth
Knowledge
Analysis
After 15 years, World Bank’s Doing Business Report still missing the mark
CSOs argue DBR’s deregulation policies do not lower income inequality or promote inclusive economic growth, instead incentivising tax competition and undermining inclusive development.
IFI governance
Commentary
Bank and Fun(d)speak of the year 2017
Every year the Bretton Woods Project highlights some of the most farcical remarks of Fund and World Bank staff.
