George Bush, according to the Guardian, has named Paul Wolfowitz, the current Deputy Secretary of Defence, who is known to greatly favour military interventions by any means necessary to expand the U.S Empire of Capital. In other words, Mr Wolfowits is a guy who knows about gunpowder, bullets, and battle fields – in theory, of course-, and not a guy who is into helping the poor and marginalised people of the world. That is, after all, what the Bank claims it is in the business of. On the other hand it is clear that Mr. Wolfowitz makes necessary a lot of development, since he is pushing the buttons of missiles and what is worse, so in that sense he ought to be very aware of the need for development in certain places. Perhaps a good start for his new job. He is moving towards the more constructive side of things, ishe? -- that is probably good for his personal development – he may get out and see some poor people and stuff – yea, right!?

It is interesting that Bush the Second chooses someone that is likely to alienate many civil society actors from the Bank – as has indeed already been noted:

“Peter Bosshard, the policy director of the International Rivers Network, an American NGO, said: "In his career, Wolfowitz has so far not shown any interest in poverty reduction, environmental protection and human rights. His election as World Bank president would most likely exacerbate the current backlash against social and environmental concerns at the World Bank, and would initiate a new era of conflict between the Bank and civil society."” from  http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/story/0,3604,1439192,00.html

Particularly in the last ten years an emerging global civil society has managed to engage the World Bank in a critical dialogue and exhibited the Bank's functions, mechanisms, and effects in the public. The current Bank President, James Wolfensohn – it seems that there is a Wolf theme here – has listened to the leading critics of the Bank, the IMF and the general process of global capitalism. These leaders, or should we call them global civil society from above, have gained some influence and some policy changes have no doubt occurred as a consequence of analyses by, say, Susan George and the insistence of Bono to be taken serious as a lobbyist. In fact, the integration of critical voices has been so comprehensive that last week there were rumours that Bono was shortlisted for becoming the new President of the Bank. But it was not to be: a man of the military strategy room is getting the job.

While it is a shock and very sad for the world, it may also be good. More people may realise what global civil society actors from below --(the grassroots, non-violent direct action groups and NGOs committed to social change, who do not accept minor adjutments of an unjust system in turn for a piece of the action)-- have been saying all along, namely that these Capital Towers are beyond reform.

Let us recall the PGA hallmark where it is written:

3. A confrontational attitude, since we do not think that lobbying can have a major impact in such biased and undemocratic organisations, in which transnational capital is the only real policy-maker;
from:  http://www.nadir.org/nadir/initiativ/agp/free/pga/hallm.htm

Take a look at it from the perspective of Bu$h and Co. The Bank is getting entangled with civil society, it is getting soft. It still does a good job on destroying the environment and rip off the poor, but it is being highlighted again and again and concessions have to be made. Global civil society is watching and Bono keep coming round wanting to be my pal. It is real trouble. What can I do? Ahh, I'll get Wolfie to deal with it, he can deal with big problems! He will hire a lot of his friends, who are all nice people and who can't live forever off rebuilding rogue states with all that public attention, he will alienate all the liberal softies, and get it all sorted. The world will be more free and democratic once we control everything.

So, there you go – Susan George, Bono, and the rest of the self-proclaimed leaders and woefully misguided, influence seeking, opportunistic lobbyists – you have your major reform of the Bank.

And then let's get back to the war, don't be a tourist!