La evolución de las concepciones sobre el desarrollo en el Banco Mundial y su incidencia en América Latina: un panorama general

The article presents an analysis and interpretation of the transformations of the notions of development elaborated by the World Bank throughout its history, particularly in relation to Latin America. The thrust of the argument is that World Bank’s understanding of development is not homogeneous throughout time, but rather fluctuates in complex ways as a function of transformations within capitalism and the organization and management of the world economy. Furthermore, it is argued that though the World Bank’s agenda is predominantly economic in character, it also encompasses a social dimension which runs parallel, and often stands in tension, to the economic one. Overall, the paper puts forth a general overview which serves as a minimal basis for apprehending the nature and meaning of the Bank’s thinking, functions and actions around the process of development.