The World Bank and the Arab revolutions
A new World Bank blog steps–gingerly–into the conversation about the new Arab world. Recognizing the significance of this historic and momentous change, the World Bank, a long standing development partner, is positioning itself to respond to emerging democratically elected governments. In the face of dynamic and fast-changing events, we need to be responsive and responsible, ...
A new World Bank blog steps--gingerly--into the conversation about the new Arab world.
A new World Bank blog steps–gingerly–into the conversation about the new Arab world.
Recognizing the significance of this historic and momentous change, the World Bank, a long standing development partner, is positioning itself to respond to emerging democratically elected governments. In the face of dynamic and fast-changing events, we need to be responsive and responsible, flexible and vigilant. We need to engage voices beyond the state machinery and reach non-state players including youth, civil society and private sector. We must ensure that these voices are well integrated into emerging development strategy and programs.
I’ve been skeptical of all the post hoc guilt-mongering about dealing with autocratic Arab regimes. But it does seem like this might be a moment for the Bank to step back and have a conversation about whether democracy shouldn’t be an important criterion in determining who gets loans and grants. Will this new blog be a forum for that discussion? I’m not banking on it.
David Bosco is a professor at Indiana University’s Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies. He is the author of The Poseidon Project: The Struggle to Govern the World’s Oceans. Twitter: @multilateralist
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