3 January 2007
A January 2 New York Times editorial contends that the World Bank President needs a "more inclusive management style and a more diplomatic inner circle".
Regardless of their merit, initiatives promoted by Paul Wolfowitz at the World Bank are threatened by a high level of staff mistrust.
Case in point: the development of the Bank's anti-corruption strategy. Wolfowitz "did an especially poor job" explaining his decisions to suspend or halt loans to allegedly corrupt borrowing countries, the New York Times explains. "When Hilary Benn, Britain's top aid official, publicly questioned bank policies, an unidentified senior bank official dismissed Mr. Benn...as 'an ambitious political climber'. That's no way to win friends or donors."
Wolfowitz still has not clearly articulated his broader vision for the Bank. To earn the trust necessary to sucessfully champion causes like debt relief, the President needs to focus due attention on winning support and trust from his staff and Bank shareholders, as well as the broader public.
Read the editorial
Wolfowitz and IDA replenishment
Concerns about Wolfowitz's management style also threaten his efforts to raise money from donor countries during the next round of International Development Association replenishment, scheduled to begin this year. Find out more: