| ORIGINS The collapse of the international gold standard, the inter-war rise of “beggar-thy-neighbor” trade policies, and the self-interest of bankers and politicans gave birth to the IMF in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire. | ||
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OPERATIONS What is the mission and activities of the IMF, and how does the fund make its decisions? The IMF and its critics respond. | |
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FINANCING PROGRAMS What are the various IMF financing programs, how do they work, what are their objectives, and have they been effective? | |
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CONDITIONALITY Explore the history, role, operations, and effectiveness of IMF conditionality. Does it encourage economic and political reform, or does it contribute to financial crises? | |
| RECENT FINANCING INITIATIVES Study the pros and cons of recent IMF financing programs in Africa, East Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America, and Russia. | ||
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MISSION CREEP Should IMF financing decisions consider human rights, government corruption, geopolitics, social safety nets, and environmental issues in borrowing countries? | |
| REFORM PROPOSALS Examine recent proposals to reform the IMF that were offered by major industrial countries and leading scholars. | ||
| ABOLISH THE IMF? Is the IMF “ineffective, unnecessary, and obsolete,” or is it “indispensable” for international financial stability? Read opposing viewpoints and decide for yourself. | ||
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ANNUAL MEETINGS Read news stories and commentaries on the annual meetings of the IMF. |
