Internal Critics of the International Monetary Fund
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2001
Showdown at the World Bank (January/February, 2001)
Robert Wade, a former economist with the World Bank, narrates the saga of Ravi Kanbur and Joseph Stiglitz's stormy resignations from the Bank. Wade argues that the US Treasury played a decisive role in silencing the dissident economists, and advocates for limiting US hegemony at the Bank. (New Left Review)
Creating Poverty (December 15, 2001)
Former World Bank employee Theodore E. Downing criticizes the World Bank and its revised involuntary resettlement policies. He argues that the Bank clings to policies that its own studies have found to be flawed and to be potentially in violation of human rights. (ted-downing)
World Bank Presses Inquiry on Economist Who Dissents (September 7, 2001)
William Easterly, one of the World Bank's top economists, is under disciplinary investigation for publicly criticizing the bank's poverty reduction policies. Bank president James Wolfensohn is asserting greater control over internal dissent in the face of mounting criticism both from the outside and within the ranks of the bank's own employees. (New York Times)
2000
Don't Bank on It: Factions at The World Bank Argue (July 4, 2000)
The resignation of Kanbur and Stiglitz highlights the rifts within the World Bank. This article from the Guardian details the rivalry between the 'ultra-orthodox school' and its critics.
Another One Bites the Dust (June 2000)
The resignations of Stiglitz and Kanbur from their posts at the World Bank were generally seen to indicate an interior power struggle. But this is not the only conflict rocking the organization: Nicola Bullard points out that the Bank is also caught in the middle of partisan politics in the US Congress. (Focus on Trade)
A Fork in the Road to Riches (June 25, 2000)
The idea of allowing developing countries to choose their best path for development is not welcomed by the World Bank. "Experimentalists" like Kanbur and Stiglitz, who be lieve that governments can set their own path and pace to the market, both ended up going back to their cozy academia. (New York Times)
1999
Globalization Versus Internationalization (1999)
In a speech in Buenos Aires, Herman Daly compares these terms and discusses some of the resulting implications.
1994
When Protectionism Is a Good Thing (1994)
Seven years ago, then World Bank economist Herman E. Daly expressed views differing from the policy of the institution as he described how protectionism can benefit national economies because capital circulates locally, allowing societies to become self-sufficient. (People-Centered Development Forum)
Herman Daly's Farewell Speech (1994)
When Herman Daly resigned from his post as Senior Economist in the Environmental Department of the World Bank, he advised the middle-aged institution to get some "new eyeglasses and a hearing aid." He also left some parting suggestions for reforms to promote environmentally sustainable development at the Bank. (Whirled Bank Group)
Wapenhans Summary and Update (October 29, 1994)
Willi Wapenhans, former vice president of the World Bank, criticizes the Bank and its projects. According to the report, from 1991, Bank staff appear more interested in lending than desiring successful project implementations. The report can be seen as the start of a reform process at the Bank. (Multinational Monitor)
