‘Superior … A broad-ranging guide that explains the  global power structure over the last eight decades’  Carlos Marichal, El Colegio de México ‘Covering the history of the Bank from its early days as a prop to European colonialism through the Rwandan genocide, the Washington Consensus and the Iraq war, Toussaint argues that the Bank is  incorrigible and should be abolished. Read and judge for yourselves’  James K. Galbraith, author,  Welcome to the Poisoned Chalice:  The Destruction of Greece and the Future of Europe ‘Invites fresh thinking on the need to streamline human rights  considerations into lending. Recommended reading’  Andrés Solimano, founder, International Center for Globalization and Development In 1944, the Bretton Woods Conference ushered in a new international economic order. The World Bank emerged as one of the most powerful financial institutions in the world, and a new colonial authority in all but name. But how does it operate, who funds it, and what agenda does it work to promote? In  The World Bank: A Critical History , Éric Toussaint answers all of these questions and more. Offering up a highly readable yet uniquely authoritative account, the book analyses the Bank from its beginnings to the present day. Chapters on gender, climate and the pandemic era provide the reader with a truly contemporary, definitive text. Seven international case studies illustrate the impact of World Bank policy, and Toussaint also explores the political, economic and strategic motives of the US government with regard to the World Bank. The book concludes with a proposal for replacing the World Bank, IMF and WTO with new, multilateral and democratic institutions. Éric Toussaint  is a historian and political scientist. He is spokesperson for the Committee for the Abolition of Illegitimate Debt, of which he is one of the founding members. He is the author or co-author of numerous books including  Bankocracy ,  The Life and Crimes of an Exemplary Man , and  Debt, the IMF, and the World Bank: Sixty Questions, Sixty Answer s. His books have been translated into more than a dozen languages. 'Superior … a broad ranging guide that explains the global power structure over the last eight decades. The history of the World Bank and its frequent support of dictatorships in the Global South clarifies the nexus between high finance and power politics.' Carlos Marichal, El Colegio de México 'The World Bank's many critics usually urge institutional redemption through reforms. In this harsh and thorough indictment, Eric Toussaint blasts those hopes. Covering the history of the Bank from its early days as a prop to European colonialism through the Rwandan genocide, the Washington Consensus and the Iraq war, he argues that the Bank is incorrigible and should, therefore, be abolished. Read and judge for yourselves.' James K. Galbraith, author, 'Welcome to the Poisoned Chalice: The Destruction of Greece and the Future of Europe' 'The record of lending to authoritarian regimes … invites fresh thinking on the need to streamline human rights considerations into development lending. Recommended reading to get a different view of the Bretton Woods institutions.' Andrés Solimano, founder, International Center for Globalization and Development 'Eric Toussaint's book could not be more opportune as the world enters a dangerous period of potential geopolitical conflict. Toussaint exposes, with chapter and verse, the role of the World Bank (and other 'Bretton Woods institutions) as tools for the financial control of the world - in particular, the exploitation of the Global South through the manipulation of debt.  The World Bank is found not to be a great institution to reduce global poverty, but on the contrary, to perpetuate it.' Michael Roberts, Economist and co-author of 'Capitalism in the 21st Century' 'Éric Toussaint's detailed and powerful indictment of the World Bank emerges at a vital time. It should be read by all who want to challenge domination and exploitation and contribute to the struggle for global justice.' 'Counterfire' ‘Superior … A broad-ranging guide that explains the global power structure over the last eight decades’ Carlos Marichal, El Colegio de México ‘Covering the history of the Bank from its early days as a prop to European colonialism through the Rwandan genocide, the Washington Consensus and the Iraq war, Toussaint argues that the Bank is incorrigible and should be abolished. Read and judge for yourselves’ James K. Galbraith, author, Welcome to the Poisoned Chalice: The Destruction of Greece and the Future of Europe ‘Invites fresh thinking on the need to streamline human rights considerations into lending. Recommended reading’ Andrés Solimano, founder, International Center for Globalization and Development In 1944, the Bretton Woods Conference ushered in a new international economic order. The World Bank emerged as one of the most powerful financial institutions in the