Missing the Point: The World Bank and Africa

Many are currently complaining after the World Bank recently reduced Africa's voting rights in that institution while China's and Brazil's were increased. They complain that the bank is limiting Africa's say in how the institution functions. I see the matter differently, however. The reduction in Africa's voting rights simply reflects the place of the continent in global political economy. Rather than complaining about lost rights, Africa should simply improve its economic condition. China's and Brazil's voting rights were not increased because they protested. Their rights were increased because they became powerful in the global political economy. Africa must shift from protest to improving its economies.