Scarecrow Press
Pages: 656
•
Trim: 6½ x 9½
978-0-8108-6790-1 • Hardback • May 2011 • $163.00 • (£127.00)
978-0-8108-7531-9 • eBook • May 2011 • $154.50 • (£119.00)
Sarah Tenney is assistant professor in the Political Science and Criminal Justice Department at The Citadel. She was a staff member of the International Monetary Fund from 1987 to 2003.
Norman K. Humphreys was a member of the staff of the International Monetary Fund, holding the post of chief editor for 23 years before retiring in 1986. He has contributed articles to a number of financial journals and newspapers.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has been described by some as the central banks and these have often been described as the savior of the current serious financial crisis. However, others indicate that it is the villain and imposes its will on developing countries and has possibly even caused some of the crisis. This suggests that the purpose of this fund is not well understood by the various appraisers and critics of this particular organization. The IMF has grown during the past several years, reformed itself due to its many efforts that were not impressive, and changed and learned to improve from its many mistakes. However, there are still critics that say that it is not functioning as they would like to see it. This book traces the IMF's evolution in a chronological fashion. A list of acronyms helps the reader through a maze of related organizations but the core of the book is a dictionary section that is helpful in finding the information of interest. It also describes its rules and actions in critical membering countries. It discusses the problems and crises that it has gone through. A bibliography will encourage further reading. The book is organized according to acronyms and abbreviations, a chronological listing of the history, an introduction, the dictionary, appendixes that include managing directors, selected financial indicators, members quotas, a section on standby, and other arrangements that have been approved by the organization. It also includes an extensive bibliography, and a description of the authors who are well qualified. This publication should be in all libraries that have an interest in monetary information worldwide.
— American Reference Books Annual