"The theoretical foundations for this book, rooted in the ongoing realism-liberalism (neoliberal institutionalism) debate, as well as more recent constructivist approaches to cooperation, provide a useful focal point for the study of RDBs. The comparison of four institutions allows for an assessment that goes beyond interests, preferences and outcomes. It provides a platform from which differences in norms, ideas, and culture, as well as hegemonic configuration, can be analyzed. The synthesis of these issues requires careful analysis. Although these underlying themes may be theoretical in nature, the ideological positions that they generate have a strong bearing on the "real world." An understanding of the theoretical premise of development can shed light on the approaches, critiques, and possibilities of development assistance and poverty alleviation policies"-- Provided by publisher.