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World Bank and Education

Ideological Premises and Ideological Conclusionsi

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The World Bank and Education

Part of the book series: Comparative and International Education ((CIEDV,volume 14))

Abstract

The World Bank prides itself on being evidence- and research-based, but it is not. Its premises and conclusions are based on ideology, not evidence. The World Bank selects and interprets the research that fits with its ideology. In this sense, it resembles right wing ideological think tank institutions like the Cato Institute or the Heritage Foundation in the U.S. However, it differs in two important ways. First, everyone realizes Cato and Heritage are partisan. The World Bank, on the other hand, makes a pretense of objectivity and inclusiveness. Second, Cato and Heritage are private institutions with limited influence. The World Bank is a public institution, financed by taxes, which gives grants, loans, and advice around the world, yielding a vast global influence.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Education, University of Maryland, U.S.A.

    Steven J. Klees

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  1. Steven J. Klees
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Maryland, U.S.A.

    Steven J. Klees

  2. Stanford University, U.S.A.

    Joel Samoff

  3. University of Maryland, U.S.A.

    Nelly P. Stromquist

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© 2012 Sense Publishers

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Klees, S.J. (2012). World Bank and Education. In: Klees, S.J., Samoff, J., Stromquist, N.P. (eds) The World Bank and Education. Comparative and International Education, vol 14. SensePublishers, Rotterdam. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-6091-903-9_4

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