Development, Jim Wolfensohn, and The World Bank with Sebastian Mallaby

Development, Jim Wolfensohn, and The World Bank with Sebastian Mallaby

Author: Mark Lutter January 11, 2021 Duration: 40:39

Today we sit with Sebastian Mallaby, a successful author and esteemed Senior Fellow for International Economics at the Council of Foreign Relations. He has also been a contributing columnist for The Washington Post and previously served on the editorial board. To open the show, we put Sebastian’s career into a nutshell before asking him to expand on his background. He tells us about some of his earliest memories as a young roving correspondent in Africa, cutting his teeth in journalism for The Economist. We go on to talk to Sebastian about the World Bank and discover facts about its inception and the evolution of its role since 1944. He discusses some of the World Bank’s constraints before turning his attention to former president of the World Bank, Jim Wolfensohn. Listeners will learn about the life and times of Jim as a human being and as a global leader. Dissecting Jim’s achievements, Sebastian analyses Jim’s structural adjustment programs and comments on the American-Australian’s charisma and knack for communication. In the latter half of the show, we talk about the benefits of the Ease of Doing Business Index and find out Sebastian’s stance on the matter. We continue our conversation and hear from Sebastian on how the world has changed since he published his book in 2004, as he contrasts between the classical left-vs.-right and modern populist-vs.-technocratic divisions. To find out more from Sebastian, his thoughts on Jim Wolfensohn, and the position of the World Bank, be sure to join us today.

Key Points From This Episode:

●     Introducing today’s guest, Sebastian Mallaby.

●     We take a look at some of Sebastian’s career highlights before we begin.

●     Sebastian reminisces when he covered Nelson Mandela’s 1990 release for The Economist.

●     Hear about the motives behind establishing the World Bank’s.

●     Sebastian elaborates on the constraints of the World Bank.

●     Hear about Jim Wolfensohn’s private and public life.

●     Sebastian’s answers to: Is the World Bank due for a shakeup?

●     Hear Sebastian’s thoughts on the Ease of Doing Business Index and its efficacy.

●     We cover the changes since Sebastian published his book in 2004.

●     Sebastian’s opinion on Charter Cities, and whether or not it has changed.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Sebastian Mallaby on Twitter

Sebastian Mallaby on LinkedIn

Jim Wolfensohn

The World Bank

Carnegie Hall

Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank

IMF

Robert McNamara

Robert Zoellick

Paul Romer

Stanford University

Alan Greenspan

Tyler Cowen

More Money Than God: Hedge Funds and the Making of the New Elite

The Man Who Knew: The Life & Times of Alan Greenspan

The Washington Post

The Economist


Imagine a new city, built from the ground up with a unique set of rules designed to foster innovation, economic growth, and a better quality of life. This isn't just a thought experiment; it's the concept of a charter city, and it's the central focus of the Charter Cities Podcast. Hosted by Mark Lutter, these conversations dig into the practical and philosophical questions surrounding these ambitious urban projects. How might they address pressing global issues like rapid urbanization, entrenched poverty, and the complex dynamics of migration? To find answers, Lutter sits down with a diverse array of thinkers and practitioners. You'll hear from specialists in international development, urban planners, investors, entrepreneurs, and governance experts, each bringing a crucial piece of the puzzle. The discussions are grounded and detailed, moving beyond theory to examine the real-world mechanics of financing, building, and governing new cities. This podcast doesn't offer simple solutions, but rather provides a nuanced exploration of a bold idea for human organization. It's for anyone curious about the future of cities, the intersection of policy and innovation, or the structures that shape our collective lives. Through these in-depth interviews, the Charter Cities Podcast builds a comprehensive understanding of a concept that could redefine how communities are built in the coming century.
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