Suchergebnisse

In previous editions of the Journal of Contemporary European Research, we reported on the set-up and progress of the interdisciplinary research project "The European Union and Global Multilateral Governance" (see Vol. 4, No. 1; Vol. 5, No. 1). This third and final research note presents some of the key-results of the project and suggests future areas for research.

This is the second of a series of research notes articles dealing with a research project funded by the University of Leuven. The first part was published in the JCER Volume 4 Issue 1 and third part will be published in a future issue of the JCER.

This is the first of a series of research notes articles dealing with a research project funded by the University of Leuven. The second and third parts will be published in future issues of the JCER.

ABSTRACTMultilateral development banks (MDBs) are one of the most popular forms of international organization, with at least 27 operating in the world today. Although most academics and policy makers focus on the World Bank and major regional MDBs, the majority of MDBs are in fact relatively small, and controlled by developing as opposed to industrialized countries. How do the differing governance arrangements of these 'minilateral' development banks (MnDBs) impact their operations? This article takes the Trade and Development Bank (TDB), an MDB in Africa with 22 regional member countries, as a case study to consider this question. Based on an analysis of TDB's track record since 2005 and interviews with management and shareholders, the author finds that borrower‐led governance leads to substantial disadvantages in terms of access to finance. Borrower‐led governance permits TDB and other MnDBs greater operational flexibility, which partially compensates for this financial disadvantage, but these operational strategies come with trade‐offs in terms of developmental effectiveness. The findings suggest that MnDBs have substantial latent potential and, in an increasingly multipolar world, they are likely to grow in coming years. However, MnDBs need to ensure that their developmental value added is strengthened in step with their financial power.