The concept of conditionality is vital to understanding the debt issue. In order for a country to receive debt relief it must satisfy certain conditions set by the World Bank and International Monetary Fund. These conditions are largely economic and are determined by what the World Bank and IMF see as conducive to a healthy economy. However, evidence has shown over and over again that these conditions have actually exasperated poverty rather than reduced it.

After considerable pressure from campaigns across the world and a series of high profile financial disasters, the World Bank and IMF changed policies and, at least on the surface, began to work with poor countries in creating a more partnership led approach to conditionality. However, studies have shown little difference to this new approach compared with the dreaded Structural Adjustment Policies of the 1980’s.

Recent Reports on Conditionality

DFID Partnerships for Poverty Reduction: Rethinking Conditionality 2005

Mission Creep, Mission Push and Discretion in Sociological Perspective:
The Case of IMF Conditionality*

IMF Conditionality Factsheet

The World Bank policy scorecard:The new conditionality?

Indispensable or unworkable? The IMF’s new approach to conditionality

THE REVIEW OF WORLD BANK CONDITIONALITY,STATEMENT BY THE RT HON HILARY BENN, SECRETARY OF STATEFOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

DRAFT ISSUES PAPER FOR AN EVALUATION OF STRUCTURAL CONDITIONALITY IN IMF-SUPPORTED PROGRAMS

Review of World Bank Conditionality

NGOs respond to UK paper on conditionality

Analysis of IMF 2004- 2005 Conditionality Review 23/05/2005
The IMF has recently completed a 2004 -2005 review of its conditionality.
Below is a critical analysis of the key findings of the review and where possible
a summary of the IMF’s Board of Directors response to the review is also included.

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