After a general introduction to the World Bank, its history and changing
purpose, the course will focus on the accountability mechanism of the
institution: the Inspection Panel. The IP provides the opportunity for
persons negatively affected by World Bank projects to file claims
against them. Examining case studies, we will explore to what extent the
IP was able to serve its purpose of making the voice of these persons
heard and democratize global governance. Instead of a normal seminar
paper, students can write reports on so far unresearched case studies
which can be published on the home page of the research project on the
IP.