With a review of the executive branch and congressional actions, this book provides the purposes and history of U.S. participation in the multilateral development banks and the relationship between process and goals in the formulation and application of U.S. Foreign policy.

This report analyzes how the U.S. makes policy towards the multilateral development banks (MDBs) and identifies ways by which Congress can shape U.S. policy and influence the activities of the banks themselves. Contents: (1) Introduction; (2) The Executive Branch and the MDBs: Treasury Department Leadership; U.S. Executive Directors at MDBs; Other U.S. Agencies; Policy Coordination; (3) Congress and the MDBs: Relevant Committees; Sources of Congressional Authority: Authorizing Actions; Power of the Purse; Appropriations for MDBs, FY 2000-2010; Congressional Oversight; Budgetary Issues; (4) Conclusion. Illus. This is a print on demand edition of an important, hard-to-find report.

Contents: (1) Intro.; (2) Overview of Multilateral Develop. Banks (MDB): Historical Background: World Bank; Regional Develop. Banks; Operations: Financial Assist. to Developing Countries: Financial Assist. Over Time; Recipients of MDB Financial Assist.; Donor Commitments and Contributions: Concessional and Non-Concessional Lending Windows; Structure and Org.: Relation to Other Internat. Institutions; Internal Org.; Effectiveness of the MDBs: Effectiveness of Foreign Aid; Bilateral vs. Multilateral Aid; (3) Authorizing and Appropriating U.S. Contrib. to the MDBs; Frequency and Process; Admin. Request for FY 2011; Congress. Oversight; U.S. Commercial Interests and ¿Country Systems¿; Proposals for Voting Reform at the World Bank. Illustrations.