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April 01, 2005
Wolfowitz: In Like Flynn
So our man is in. I wish him well, not the right man at the right time, but again recalling what I know of him personally, I think the teeth gnashing is far overdone.
From Washington Post article:
Still, many bank insiders and analysts expect Wolfowitz to shift the bank's direction in important ways, reflecting the complaints that administration officials have expressed about its shortcomings.
The administration has generally prodded the bank to be more hard-nosed toward countries that don't appear to be using its aid effectively. It has pressed for tighter monitoring procedures that are focused on results, to ensure that money lent for, say, immunization programs leads to more children receiving vaccines. At the same time, the administration wants more bank aid for very poor countries provided in the form of grants rather than loans. Administration officials contend that the bank too often ends up lending to impoverished nations just so they can pay back previous loans.
Because of the administration's recent emphasis on spreading democracy, especially in the Middle East, much speculation has arisen that Wolfowitz will use the bank's clout to prod governments to implement democratic reforms. He has sought to quash talk of a dramatic change in policy by stressing that he believes the bank should focus on economic development and alleviating poverty. But development experts who know him well expect him to place particular importance on encouraging the development of solid political institutions and the rule of law.
(http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A17519-2005Mar31.html)
Frankly there is nothing wrong per se with these criticisms, and if the Bank moves away from fluffy stuff to more basic economic development, with reasonable oversight, that's good.
I hope Wolfowitz does not try to move the Bank into democracy promotion, that's not its business. Rule of law is, but despite the wooley headed thinking found in the United States and among the human rights / anti globo types, rule of law is not synonymous or coterminus with democracy.
I found, the anti-globos ninny hammered bleating about him amusing, however.
Posted by The Lounsbury at April 1, 2005 03:17 PM
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Jan-July 2005
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