The World Bank Before Singapore: Continuing Crisis
The Wolfowitz agenda
The controversial former United States Deputy Secretary of Defence Paul Wolfowitz succeeded James Wolfensohn as the head of the World Bank in June 2005. It was a change that put a great sense of urgency into the question of what course the world’s most influential financial adviser and financing institution would take. However, Wolfowitz’s first year in office brought no great surprises. Instead of radical changes, the Bank’s agenda was governed by the goal of maintaining continuity, writes Daniela Setton.
Completely in line with the wishes of the large European shareholders, Wolfowitz stresses the role of the Bank in middle-income countries, focuses heavily on Africa, promotes the private sector and does not hold back when it comes to moral declarations on the World Bank’s mission to “fight poverty” ... ... this article was published (free content) in >>> Issue 3/Aug-Sep 2006.
Race to a New Bretton Woods + Time for UN to Act + Stiglitz' New Economic Compact + China's Agrarian Reforms + Transparency Deficit of IMF and World Bank
Since the financial meltdown began in mid-September, the bond markets of most of the region have been hit, as well as most of their stock markets and a number of currencies. Can South America escape the wrath of the economic and financial storms that have their epicenter in the United States?
On 11 October 2008, the International Working Group of Sovereign Wealth Funds (IWG) released the Generally Accepted Principles and Practices (GAPP) that would guide the governance and accountability framework of sovereign wealth funds (SWFs).
For years, only a small and enlightened elite and some NGOs looking beyond their tiny projects have been calling for a New Bretton Woods - a global conference to restructure the global economic and financial system. Yet suddenly such demands have become almost mainstream, and developments have accelerated tremendously.
The timing has been perfect: In the middle of October, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China approved a reform proposal that will allow farmers to lease or transfer their land rights. Called a "historic" decision by some observers, the Chinese government announced it as Chinas contribution to counter the financial crisis.
The 2008 US Presidential election was historic itself owing to the candidates' profile. But the timing of the elections as the U.S. and global economy are in the midst of the worst financial crisis and recession in decades reminds us of the Great Depression era and the 1980s recession.