We have to succeed in Sierra Leone and then go on to put much more international effort into resolving the other conflicts in Africa. Claiming the World Bank cause poverty is no less simplistic than blaming it on corrupt government, both of which seem valid arguments. ClareShort You are wrong. More people have climbed out of poverty in the last 50 years than in the previous 500. The misinformation that is so widespread on the role of the World Bank and the reality of development I find very worrying.
Some people seem to want to believe that everything is doom and disaster.
What we need to do is look at what works and take it to scale so that more people benefit. I hope you will read the White Paper. For the less developed countries, globalisation offers access to foreign capital, global export markets, and advanced technology while breaking the monopoly of inefficient and protected domestic producers. Faster growth, in turn, promotes poverty reduction, democratisation, and higher labour and environmental standards. While globalisation may confront government officials with more difficult choices, the result for their citizens is greater individual freedom.