This is the second of two Volumes on development economics (and studies) and the sixth in the Series on the Critical Reconstructions of Political Economy. The previous Volume was primarily devoted to critically interpreting what has happened to development economics in terms of economics imperialism, alongside the offering of alternatives from political economy whilst drawing upon what were traditional approaches to development before its capture by contemporary mainstream economics. This Volume focuses more specifically upon the major role of the World Bank, as Knowledge Bank, in reflecting and leading the charge in these changes. It also offers analytical and policy alternatives. As most will appreciate, the book’s subtitle references Alice in Wonderland, something I first deployed critically in entering the world of social capital (Fine, 2008 and 2010b) – it’s a dream that is not and cannot come true. Across its scholarship, ideology and policy in practice, the World Bank creates a world vision that surely leads us to imagine how they access their magic mushrooms. I hope to have provided some sort of answer in terms of the fantastic connections to the material and intellectual terrains involved, and traverse the highs (leave most everything to the market) and lows (tina) of developmental optimism and pessimism.
Previous prefaces have laid out the rationale for this series and what it has involved. Suffice it here, once more, to thank co-authors and all others who have positively contributed to my endeavours. But one new point, prevailing across all Volumes, that I have previously taken to be understood by readers without needed to be commented upon. Occasionally, I do supplement original texts with an extra reference or footnote (over and above amending by using a different version than the one published and correcting errors or improving the text for meaning however fully). That I have done so should be obvious enough in context, not least, as is usually the case, as what is involved is reference to events or other publications that occur after the published piece itself. This is at most token assistance to the reader with fuller retrospectives confined to Preambles and introductory Chapters.