The launch of the IMF's autumn 2012 World Economic Outlook (WEO) report stimulated a controversy over economic forecasting during the annual meetings of the IMF by admitting that the Fund's models, used to dictate the terms of bailouts, were flawed.
Conditionality impacts
Conditionality
News
IMF's "incompetence" and "failures" in Europe led to "suffering"
The IMF's role as a member of the Troika, the grouping of the European Central Bank (ECB), European Commission and the Fund in the eurozone crisis, is attracting new criticism. Deepening recessions in eurozone nations have brought the efficacy and appropriateness of Troika-led reforms into question.
Conditionality
News
No strings attached?
Egypt has been in talks to get over $11 billion in foreign aid, of which at least $7.5 billion will be contingent on IMF approval, sparking concerns from activists over policies likely to be imposed by the Fund, just as it has ended its conditionality review.
IFI governance
Background
Revolving doors: staff turnover between IFIs and African governments
The term 'revolving doors' refers to frequent staff turnover between institutions, usually relevant when these represent different interests working on the same policy issues. This serves to foster cross-institutional networks, practices and alliances. The staff turnover between international financial institutions (IFIs) and borrowing governments works as a mechanism through which specific ideas and practices learnt and promoted in IFIs are translated into policies in borrowing countries
IFI governance
News
IMF poverty focus challenged
In the middle of a review of its lending facilities for low-income countries (LICs) and a funding drive for more concessional resources, the IMF is facing criticism over its conditionality and a review of its debt sustainability framework.
Conditionality
News
IFI leaders talk jobs, but staff push labour deregulation
International financial institutions increasingly recognise the negative impacts of austerity on labour markets, however, a disjuncture remains between their public pronouncements and their policies and practice.
Conditionality
News
Eurozone meltdown: IMF providing "political cover"
As European elections show the public increasingly rejecting austerity, critics call on the IMF to focus on the flaws of the eurozone rather than austerity in country programmes.
Conditionality
News
IMF and debt hold Jamaica back
A report published in May by the US-based Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR) found that an overwhelming debt burden and conditions on IMF loans are hindering Jamaica's economic recovery.
Conditionality
Background
A Global Shared Societies Agenda
Minutes meeting for A Global Shared Societies Agenda
IFI governance
Background
Seminar - Time for a New Consensus: Regulating Financial Flows for Stability and Development
As the World Bank and the IMF hold their 2012 spring meetings in Washington DC this week, Latindadd and the Bretton Woods Project organised a seminar about regulating financial flows on Thursday 19 April.
Featured briefings
3 July 2024
The Bretton Woods Observer: Summer 2024
3 July 2024
Is the World Bank rolling back commitments to citizen engagement, again?
Understanding the Bank’s chequered history with public, community and civil society participation is key for understanding what is at stake and what to do next.
3 June 2024
A way out for IMF reform
New paper analyses the IMF 16th Quota Review and identifies key governance reforms feasible in the current economic and geopolitical context.