IMF review of institutional view on capital controls disappoints as it largely maintains the policy framework of its predecessor
Capital flows
Finance
Analysis
Debt crisis prevention: We need to talk about capital controls
IMF's position on capital controls must be revised to recognise that they are an essential and permanent macroeconomic tool necessary to increase countries' policy autonomy and enable them to act counter-cyclically and to prevent future debt crises.
Finance
News
Evaluation finds IMF advice on capital controls lacking empirical support
IMF’s Independent Evaluation Office suggests that Fund guidelines are too restrictive and recommends a refresh in light of recent experience and research.
Finance
Analysis
World Bank’s rating obsession will negate debt justice
The international financial system’s reliance upon credit ratings – usually based on dubious premises – needs urgent rethinking.
Finance
Analysis
What is left of the rise of the South?
While the recent reforms to the IMF and World Bank governance reforms and the establishment of new Southern-led IFIs are symbolically important, they are thus far not a rupture with the Western-dominated international financial architecture.
Finance
News
IMF reopening case for capital controls?
An IMF policy paper on the international monetary system considers its future policy on capital controls and proposes a review of the IMF's institutional view on the liberalisation and management of capital flows.
Finance
Analysis
UN Financing for Development: the Fund and Bank's role & influence
This briefing analyses the role of the Bank and Fund in the UN Financing for Development negotiations.
Private Sector
Analysis
Follow the money
New Bretton Woods Project report reveals World Bank Group channelling crucial development resources to banks instead of directly investing in pro-poor projects.
Finance
Background
Financial tremors in developing countries: is another earthquake on the way?
Aldo Caliari Monetary policy changes in rich world are now starting – the reversal of…
Conditionality
Analysis
IMF blames the victims as markets thow another taper tantrum
As emerging markets suffer renewed bout of financial volatility, risk of worse to come as IMF struggles to provide even-handed global policy coordination.
Featured briefings
21 July 2022
Ending “absolute immunity” for the International Finance Corporation: The legacy of Jam v. IFC
EarthRights International examines how the Jam v. IFC case has helped to shift the landscape of accountability for international financial institutions by successfully challenging their claim to “absolute” immunity in US courts, potentially opening IFC up to further legal challenges in future.
21 July 2022
The Bretton Woods Observer: Summer 2022
14 April 2022