自世行成立至今，一直有一条不成文的规矩：行长人选由美国政府决定。 成立至今的11位行长均是美国人，而且没有一位是世行核心责任 — — 经济发展方面的专家，也没有一位拥有扶贫或促进环境可持续性的职业经验。
From the Bank’s establishment until today, the unwritten rule has been that the US government simply designates each new president: all 11 have been Americans, and not a single one has been an expert in economic development, the Bank’s core responsibility, or had a career in fighting poverty or promoting environmental sustainability.