History
The World Bank is one of the two (along with the International Monetary Fund), large financial institutions set up to the Bretton Woods conference, held in the United States in 1944, delegates from 45 countries, including representatives of the Soviet Union, discussed the economic recovery and the device the world economy after the Second World War.
The Soviet Union was one of the most active participants in the Conference, but later refused to participate in the activities of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank, as well as in accordance with the statute had not been able to influence decisions, unlike the United States.
In the early stages of its activities from 1945 to 1968 The World Bank does not have an active lending due to increased requirements for borrowers. Under the leadership of the bank's first president, John McCloy (John McCloy) as the first borrower was chosen France, she was granted a loan in the amount of 250 million U.S. dollars. Moreover, the condition of the French loan was non-participation in the coalition government of Communists. Two other candidate (Poland and Chile) have not received assistance. In the future, the World Bank was actively involved in lending to countries in Western Europe, which is actively restore the destroyed World War II economy, implementing the Marshall Plan. Funding for this plan is largely passed through the World Bank.
In 1968-1980 gg. activities of the World Bank was designed to help developing countries. Increase the volume and structure of lending, covering various sectors of the economy from infrastructure to address social issues. Chair during this period, the World Bank, Robert McNamara brought to his work technocratic style of management, because it had leadership experience as Minister of Defense and President Ford. McNamara has created a new system of potential borrowing countries, information that can reduce the time to decide on conditions for granting credit.
In 1980 McNamara as president of the World Bank changed Clausen (AW Clausen) on presentation of the then U.S. President Ronald Reagan. During this period, financial assistance is provided mainly Third World countries. For the period 1980-1989 gg. characteristic was the policy of lending aimed at the development of the economies of third world in order to reduce their dependence on loans. This policy has led to a reduction in lending to the solution of social problems.
Since 1989, the policy of the World Bank has undergone significant changes under the influence of critics of various non-governmental organizations, in particular related to the environment. As a result, the range of provided loans for various purposes has expanded.