It is widely accepted that global imbalances were a major contributing factor to the recent global financial crisis. In written evidence submitted to the UK Treasury Committee, we argue that there are four main underlying causes and three areas of major reform needed.
Global architecture
Finance
News
IMF and capital flows: all talk, no solution
As the IMF and Bank of England predict that increasing volatility of global capital flows will motivate widespread use of capital controls, academics and civil society organisations are calling for coordinated global solutions.
Finance
News
Unsafe haven? New IFC tax haven policy questioned
A new report finds widespread use of tax havens by World Bank clients, while the new Bank policy is criticised for having major loopholes.
Social services
Commentary
IMF from Argentina to Greece: similar but different
The economic crisis in Argentina in 2001 and Greece today share both similarities and differences, so we should be wary of stretching the comparison.
Conditionality
News
IMF in a euromess?
The IMF responds to calls from European leaders to get more involved in the European debt crisis through greater lending to the region, however, the austerity policies being demanded are stoking further criticism from civil society organisations.
Finance
Analysis
Time for a new consensus
This report explains the drawbacks, especially for development, of policies to deregulate the movement of money across borders, and makes suggestions for a new pragmatic approach to regulation of financial flows to ensure stability and development.
Finance
Analysis
Breaking the mould
Argentina, Brazil and Costa Rica are among the countries that have recently implemented capital account regulations. This report reviews the evidence available on the impact of their measures, providing evidence of the usefulness of capital account regulations not only in achieving financial stability but also in preventing unwarranted appreciation of the exchange rate and increasing monetary policy space.
Accountability
Background
UK civil society meeting with HM Treasury and UK IMF Executive Director
Notes meeting Alex Gibbs September 2011
Infrastructure
Background
Scaling up Climate Finance
Notes of meeting, Washington DC, September 22, 2011
IFI governance
Background
Financial Transaction Tax implementation
Notes of a meeting, Washington DC, 22 September 2011
Featured briefings
6 April 2022
The Bretton Woods Observer: Spring 2022
8 December 2021
The Bretton Woods Observer: Winter 2021
8 November 2021
IMF surveillance and climate change transition risks
New briefing by ActionAid USA and the Bretton Woods Project highlights research showing that IMF policy advice has undermined a just energy transition since the Paris Agreement was signed.