While power within international politics has undergone significant change in recent years, the voting power distribution within the World Bank has only changed marginally. Therefore, this case study tries to explain the institutional inertia of the World Bank by refering to Pierson's understanding of path dependence. After explaining the merits and pitfalls of path dependence, this contribution especially focuses on the voice reform of 2010 and its importance for the development for the institution.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- The conceptualization of path dependence by Paul Pierson
- The institutional inertia of the World Bank
- Conclusion
- Literature
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper aims to analyze the persistence of the voting system within the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), specifically focusing on the reasons for its inertia despite significant changes in the global economic landscape. The study utilizes the concept of path dependence, particularly as conceptualized by Paul Pierson, to understand the dynamics of institutional change within the World Bank.
- Path Dependence and Institutional Inertia
- Increasing Returns Mechanisms in the World Bank
- The Role of the 2010 Voice Reform
- The Impact of Institutional Matrixes and Power Asymmetries
- Challenges to Institutional Change in Politics
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The first chapter introduces the context of the study, highlighting the World Bank's evolution and the criticisms surrounding its governance. The chapter then focuses on the voting system, specifically addressing the concerns raised by fast-evolving economies like Brazil, India, and China regarding the disparity between their economic weight and voting power within the World Bank. This leads to the central question of why the voting system has remained relatively unchanged despite significant economic shifts.
Chapter two explores the concept of path dependence, particularly emphasizing Paul Pierson's conceptualization, which emphasizes the role of increasing returns mechanisms in shaping institutional inertia. This section clarifies the core tenets of path dependence and its connection to increasing returns, highlighting the importance of historical context and the "stickiness" of institutional arrangements.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The main keywords and focus topics of the text include path dependence, increasing returns, institutional inertia, the World Bank, IBRD, voting system, global economy, voice reforms, institutional change, political institutions, and collective action dilemma. The study explores how these concepts interact to shape the governance and development of the World Bank.
- Quote paper
- Christian Orth (Author), 2013, Voting power distribution in response to international power shifts. The case of the World Bank, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/272302
