Technocracy and the market: world bank group technical assistance and the rise of neoliberalism

摘要: This thesis analyses the provision of technical assistance by World Bank Group (the Group) from 1946 to 2010. Technical concerns transmission knowledge and practices encourage economic growth. Starting ontological position that “development” is merely a series normative positions change over time are dependent upon worldview observer, it argues has helped construct, project, legitimise particular development “truths”. Drawing literature within discipline International Political Economy, this analysis regards as form power whereby exercising actors able persuade others define structures in such way make understandings appear common sense. The use “soft” build institutional human resource capacity during neoliberal era – built through policy reform, management selection, personnel training became means recipients alleged legitimacy market-led development. An study, work contextualises growth evolution terms crises world economy, shifting intellectual movements academic circles, changes mission, organisational structure, leadership Group. thus shaper shaped mainstream discourse orthodox conceptualisation economic, political, social, environmental “improvement” developing countries. concludes been reinforce “truths” its allegedly scientific, objective, value-neutral nature dissuading challenges prevailing orthodoxy. contributes discussion analysing persuasive ability convince necessity accepting adopting far objective or value-neutral.