Financing the Future: Multilateral Development Banks in the Changing World Order of the 21st Century

Financing the Future explains how the unique governance arrangements and financial model of Multilateral Development Banks (MDB) shape their behavior. Outlining a theoretical framework suitable to the 30-odd MDBs around the world, the book uses this to show how different sets of MDBs are grappling with the challenges of the 21st century. This is the first book to explain the core of the MDB model as a unique class of international institution and shows how that model is playing out the traditional large MDBs, smaller borrower-led banks, and the two new MDBs recently created with the support of China. The combination of an original theoretical approach, rich quantitative and qualitative empirics, and clear writing means this book will appeal to both academic and practitioner audiences.

Christopher Humphrey, Senior Scientist, Senior Research Associate, ETH Center for Development and Cooperation;

Chris Humphrey is a senior scientist at ETH Center for Development and Cooperation and a senior research associate with ODI, specializing in international development finance. He completed his PhD at the London School of Economics and holds a masters from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. Dr. Humphrey has published widely on development finance in academic and policy publications, has consulted for numerous development institutions and governments, and in 2021 was named by the G20 to a panel reviewing the financial policies of MDBs. In a previous career, Chris worked as a journalist based in Mexico City.