On Development Finance, Environment, and Institutions

I discuss the World Bank in the broader context of civil society and international development finance, including articles from World Policy Journal, two pieces on carbon finance and a in depth review of New York University professor (and former leading World Bank economics researcher) William Easterly's book on "why the West's efforts to aid the rest have done so much ill and so little good."

Postmodern development

Postmodern development

A book review of William Easterly's The White Man’s Burden: Why the West’s efforts to aid the rest have done so much ill and so little good (New York: The Penguin Press, 2006).

Postmodern development

A book review of William Easterly's The White Man’s Burden: Why the West’s efforts to aid the rest have done so much ill and so little good (New York: The Penguin Press, 2006).

The Carbon Caravan

The Carbon Caravan

First of two essays summarizing my analysis of the World Bank's record in addressing climate change, including managing global carbon trading funds, in the web blog and discussion forum "REDD-Monitor," editor Chris Lang. REDD is the acronym for a United Nations-World Bank supported scheme for international trading of carbon credits to preserve tropical fores...

The Carbon Caravan

First of two essays summarizing my analysis of the World Bank's record in addressing climate change, including managing global carbon trading funds, in the web blog and discussion forum "REDD-Monitor," editor Chris Lang. REDD is the acronym for a United Nations-World Bank supported scheme for international trading of carbon credits to preserve tropical fores...

The REDD+ Program is in Denial About the Intractable Problem of Governance

The REDD+ Program is in Denial About the Intractable Problem of Governance

Rich describes carbon markets as the “financial cargo cult that had driven much of the early enthusiasm for REDD+.” REDD national plans often tended to focus on the technical complexities of measuring forest carbon. When the plans did acknowledge governance and land-tenure, it was not clear how these problems would be addressed.

The REDD+ Program is in Denial About the Intractable Problem of Governance

Rich describes carbon markets as the “financial cargo cult that had driven much of the early enthusiasm for REDD+.” REDD national plans often tended to focus on the technical complexities of measuring forest carbon. When the plans did acknowledge governance and land-tenure, it was not clear how these problems would be addressed.

Foreclosing the Future: The World Bank and the Politics of Environmental Destruction

Foreclosing the Future: The World Bank and the Politics of Environmental Destruction

Over the last two decades the world’s institutions have largely failed to deal with the ecological crises of climate change, destruction of species, and pollution of fresh water and oceans. These failures have been accompanied by growing economic inequality in many nations.

Foreclosing the Future: The World Bank and the Politics of Environmental Destruction

Over the last two decades the world’s institutions have largely failed to deal with the ecological crises of climate change, destruction of species, and pollution of fresh water and oceans. These failures have been accompanied by growing economic inequality in many nations.

Foreclosing the Future: Examining 20 years of the World Bank's Environmental Performance

Foreclosing the Future: Examining 20 years of the World Bank's Environmental Performance

Drawing on in depth institutional knowledge, hundreds of case studies, and scores of internal and external reports and evaluations, Bruce Rich paints a picture of a Bank still inflicting suffering on disenfranchised and vulnerable populations. His negative assessment of the Bank’s first year under its new president Jim Yong Kim leaves Rich calling for real l...

Foreclosing the Future: Examining 20 years of the World Bank's Environmental Performance

Drawing on in depth institutional knowledge, hundreds of case studies, and scores of internal and external reports and evaluations, Bruce Rich paints a picture of a Bank still inflicting suffering on disenfranchised and vulnerable populations. His negative assessment of the Bank’s first year under its new president Jim Yong Kim leaves Rich calling for real l...

Die Herren über Soll und Haben (The Lords of Debt and Credit)

Die Herren über Soll und Haben (The Lords of Debt and Credit)

This full feature length article was featured in the leading German weekly Die Zeit at the time of the October 1993 Annual World Bank and IMF meetings in Washington. It gives an in depth descriiption of the international civil society campaign to reform the World Bank, with particular reference to my advocacy activities and contacts in Germany and elsewhere...

Die Herren über Soll und Haben (The Lords of Debt and Credit)

This full feature length article was featured in the leading German weekly Die Zeit at the time of the October 1993 Annual World Bank and IMF meetings in Washington. It gives an in depth descriiption of the international civil society campaign to reform the World Bank, with particular reference to my advocacy activities and contacts in Germany and elsewhere...

How the World Bank Fails The Poor

How the World Bank Fails The Poor

This article examines the record of the first several years of James Wolfensohn's tenure as president of the World Bank, based mainly on internal Bank evaluation reports. This piece was later expanded and updated in the chapters dealing with Wolfensohn's presidency in Foreclosing the Future.

How the World Bank Fails The Poor

This article examines the record of the first several years of James Wolfensohn's tenure as president of the World Bank, based mainly on internal Bank evaluation reports. This piece was later expanded and updated in the chapters dealing with Wolfensohn's presidency in Foreclosing the Future.

Greenspeak

Greenspeak

The World Bank is doing its best to present itself as a born-again friend of the earth. Bruce Rich separates fact from fancy.

Greenspeak

The World Bank is doing its best to present itself as a born-again friend of the earth. Bruce Rich separates fact from fancy.

The Emperor's New Clothes: The World Bank and Environmental Reform

The Emperor's New Clothes: The World Bank and Environmental Reform

In 1987 the World Bank made sweeping commitments to environmental reform, but deep seated institutional problems made real progress difficult.

The Emperor's New Clothes: The World Bank and Environmental Reform

In 1987 the World Bank made sweeping commitments to environmental reform, but deep seated institutional problems made real progress difficult.

Environmental Reform and the Multilateral Banks

Environmental Reform and the Multilateral Banks

A description and analysis of the strategy of civil society organizations to promote environmental reforms in World Bank in the 1980s.

Environmental Reform and the Multilateral Banks

A description and analysis of the strategy of civil society organizations to promote environmental reforms in World Bank in the 1980s.