My jaw dropped last week when I saw the news that Jim Yong Kim might become the next World Bank President. In case you're thinking, "I know that guy--he looks at things!," Jim Yong Kim is not to be confused with Kim Jong-Il, the late leader of North Korea. "But then who is he?" You may ask. Don't worry, you're not alone. Obama definitely got some blank stares when he announced his nomination. But that's probably because Kim has not spent his career munching sandwiches at elite tea parties--he's spent his career in the field with Partners in Health and the World Health Organization, fighting the root causes of infectious diseases and working with the poor to revolutionize community-based public health care systems in countries all over the world. And that's why Jim Yong Kim and his vision for an "open, inclusive World Bank" are just what the doctor ordered.
These are just a few reasons why I'm excited about Kim's nomination: - He believes that good health and education are foundational for sustainable, inclusive economic growth. This marks a huge departure from the World Bank's failed Structural Adjustment Programs of the 1980's and 90's, which forced developing countries to cut social spending in the name of economic growth.
- He gets good results. The success of his radical Partners in Health model in treating diseases like multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis led to the model's adoption by the World Health Organization, and its expansion to 12 countries. Later, as director of the WHO's HIV/AIDS program, he led the incredible "3x5 Initiative" which has now treated more than 7 million Africans with HIV/AIDS.
- He defies stereotypes. When he became President of Dartmouth College, he was the first Asian-American to become president of an ivy-league college. If he is chosen as the World Bank President, he will be the first Asian-American, physician, anthropologist, and development professional to take the position.
- He does development from the bottom-up. Partners in Health successfully built capacity and accountability in developing countries by training Community Health Workers and valuing local knowledge and capabilities. Kim also believes in the importance of economic growth with equity, a concept which the World Bank hasn't seemed to grasp.
- He can sing, dance, and even rap ?
But not everyone is excited about Kim's nomination. Critics are saying:
- He is anti-growth
- He doesn't have the right experience (Former World Bank economist and NYU professor William Easterly said, "You have to have the mind-set to allocate scarce funds, rather than approaching the problem as if we have unlimited resources for suffering people.")
- The U.S. should not have complete power over who is selected
First of all, as I mentioned before, he believes in a symbiotic relationship between health and education and economic growth. He is also a proponent of growth with equity. But maybe more importantly, isn't anyone talking about the end of economic growth? Second, I think it's clear from any biography of Kim that he is incredibly qualified for the position. As far as needing to make decisions about "scarce funds" goes, I think it's more important to have people in high positions of power who recognize the abundance of our resources, and have radical visions for re-distribution and economic equality. Finally, when it comes to the U.S.'s power in the selection process, I agree that it's time that other countries had a say. But I still think that Jim Kim would make a great president, and I'm excited about the possibilities for the World Bank with Kim at the helm.
So here are my questions for you:
- What do you think about Kim's nomination?
- How do you think he stacks up against the competitors, Nigeria's Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Colombia's José Antonio Ocampo (also incredible, and many say better candidates)?
- Should the U.S. be able to select the World Bank President?
- If you were World Bank President, what would you change?
Let's discuss! Comment with your thoughts and opinions!
Personally, I think Ngozi Okonjo Iweala is the most qualified to head the World Bank because of her background as a seasoned development economist who worked for the World bank for 25 years; and as Nigerian Finance minister for five years. She deserves to be the World Bank president not because she is a Nigerian woman, but because for the first time it is possible that the World Bank president could be chosen based on merits; all of which Ngozi possesses.
ReplyDeleteJim Kim, like Ngozi, is an unprecedented choice for the post not only because of his achievement in the field of medicine; but because of his iron clad experience working with NGOs at the grassroots, devising solutions to many epidemic diseases in the third world. It is also important to point out that for the first time, a non-Wall street executive will be the next president of the World Bank. Both Ngozi Okonjo Iweala and Jim Kim, the top contenders for the job, have no prior links to Wall Street. And why is this important? it is because the World Bank is supposed to be a 'low rate' lender to poor developing countries and the president of such an institution in my opinion, has to have prior development experience with some of the countries that he or she is going to be providing loans; Secondly, the president of the World Bank also needs to have a better understanding of the needs of the poor majority in these countries and tailor loan transfers according to those needs. Most Wall Street executives are lacking in these areas, and are too focused on the ‘bottom line’. For a long time, the Wall Street Bankers turned World Bank presidents, based the approval of loan transfers to developing countries on political factors (Western Bloc vs. Eastern Bloc) and economic conditions (Austerity measures, Structural Adjustment Programs, etc). And under their various administrations the focus of the bank was making profits from the interests paid on the loans they approved to developing countries.
The thought of Ngozi Okonjo Iweala or Jim Kim as the next president of the World Bank is a promising one for developing countries who want to see change in the Bretton Woods institution. For example, Many African countries – South Africa, Angola, Nigeria, etc. - have thrown their support behind Ngozi Okonjo Iweala. However, the odds of Jim Kim, the US government's nominee, getting the job is looking very likely because the US government has the most voting power in the Bretton Woods system; which leads us to the whole debacle of US hegemony on International Financial Institutions.
It's funny, Alex. As I was finishing up my post and reading more about Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, I found myself being convinced that she might actually be a better choice. But I think you're right--both candidates show great potential, and either way, the election of a development professional would mark a new era in World Bank history!
DeleteKudos for posting this, I was thinking about blogging about the same thing. This is a really interesting topic. I think that nominating Mr.Kim is a step in a new direction for the World Bank. Instead of hiring someone who just has had experience on wall street or in the financial sector, they hired someone who is passionate about health and education matters and is also a doctor. Even Jeffrey Sachs who was running as a candidate for the same position applauded and 'approved' Mr. Kim as a great individual for the job. Personally, I guess time will only tell to see if this brings any big changes within the World Bank.
ReplyDeletePS: him being able to rap is definitely a bonus :P
It's amazing to me that a development professional has never been President of the World Bank. How can someone claim to be helping the poor if he (and I say "he" because there has never been a female president either) has never encountered the poor?
DeleteI was also pleased to see Jeffrey Sachs' endorsement of Jim Kim. It shows that Sachs is truly in it to help people, not just to climb the career ladder.
By the way this is a great article that answers some of your questions regarding the competitors Ngozi Okonjo-Lweala and Jose Antonio Ocampo and if the presidency should be a US citizen. http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/economics-blog/2012/apr/04/developing-countries-world-bank-governance
ReplyDeleteThanks, Adam! I really appreciated the point about the irony of promoting "good governance" in developing countries, while the governance of the Bank itself is rather twisted. It makes sense for other countries--especially developing countries--to have more control over the Bank's actions.
DeleteI agree with Adam, I think his rapping skills make him an ideal candidate.
ReplyDeleteJokes apart, I remember learning that the head of the IMF is chosen by European nations and the head of World Bank, by the US. And then I read this while Lagarde was campaigning, "The BRIC nations, issued a statement declaring that the tradition of appointing a European as managing director undermined the legitimacy of the IMF and called for the appointment to be merit-based."
And, honestly, the US thinks they are still a super power, and they are but they are under estimating the BRIC nations, because the BRIC nations are rising against the "big boys." So, it will be definitely interesting to see what lies ahead in the case of this nomination.
That's right, Fatima! Kim's own birth country, South Korea, is a great example of a once-"developing" country that's now a rising power. I think that the U.S. would do better to work with these countries than to try to maintain its hegemony and deny their growing power.
DeleteGreat article, thanks for sharing Laura. I am surprised the campaign has resemblance as a political campaign and election. I find that strange.
ReplyDeleteThe candidates have the potential to be the leaders of the world bank. I like Jim Yong Kim and he seems to have unique talents and is involved with health issues and diseases. He seems unpopular with the public but since the White House admins and the Obama himself is supporting and nominated Jim, I think he can be the president. The US has a veto power and is powerful as usual, so I think he has high chances of becoming the president. Is there a reason why Obama is nominating Jim to be the president? The unfortunate part is that, even if Jim is genuine and is here to make the world a better place in terms of growth and development, still I don't think he can do anything that the powers don't want him to do. The bureaucracy and the hierarchal structures in the system doesn't allow him to have the freedom to do anything that he thinks is good for the developing/underdeveloped countries. Its a fact, at the end of the day, these leaders become puppets for the benefit of the western ideology and policy.
The Nigerian Lady seems to have what it takes as she was a Minister of Finance for the Nigerian Government. However, I believe in cleaning my back yard before I help my neighbor or even trying to save the world. Nigeria is one of the most corrupt countries in the world and hence I think, this could have an impact on how the WB is managed by Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.
Laura, I have to comment on your supreme blogging skills. Touche friend, touche!
DeleteThis boiled-down-to-the-basics approach to presenting a case to the public really appeals to me because I sometimes get discouraged from learning about important issues like this when the terminology is way over my head, or the writing is convoluted. So thank you for that.
To get down to business, I'm largely in agreement with Saida's comment - it would be difficult to do anything that is not entirely in the interest of the puppet master, even if this ideal nominee became president. It is a step in the right direction, though, because it will highlight the actual purpose of the WB, as opposed to hiring people who have had the titles necessary for the position. One's qualifications for any position go further than how they seem on paper - taking Saida's example of the Nigerian Minister of Finance... you did the job, and it does not necessitate your competence in a related position. I could have been point guard for some basketball team, but it does not make me more qualified to play in the NBA than somebody who has lived and breathed basketball their entire life and wasn't given the opportunity to be point guard. That's a bit of a stretch, but you get my point haha...
Unfortunately, I think you're right, Saida. While the calls for change are getting louder, I think that the U.S. will still prevail this time around. Luckily, they made a great nomination. It's an interesting and important point that you raise about the ability of the president to actually affect change at the World Bank. Truthfully, I don't know how much power Kim would actually have. I suspect that you're right--that he will only get so far in challenging the interests of Western states. But maybe Kim can find a way around butting heads with the Powers That Be. After all, Haiti is a "failed state" and one of the most corrupt countries in the world, and yet, he was able to work with the government to build a better health care system that truly helped the poor. Somehow, he was able to serve both interests. I wonder how far one can go on that path...
DeleteGreat point, Gina! Sometimes someone's creativity, problem-solving skills, or sheer determination make them better-suited for a job than those who have the right experience on a resume. After all, we don't want the new World Bank President to do the job in the same way that it's always been done, because it was a failure! So why is Kim being criticized for "not having the right credentials?" It's just like we learned in class--not doing something just because it's "never been done before" is suicidal for organizations.
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