STWR - Share The World's Resources

The push to replace the US dollar as the global reserve currency is growing, but what is the alternative? A new global framework must be established outside the IMF based on shared responsiblity, argues Nick Dearden.

At the London summit, the G20 called for $250 billion worth of SDRs to be injected into the global economy. Yet most of these resources won't reach the poorest countries, since they will be allocated on the basis of IMF quotas determined by the size of countries' economies, says Soren Ambrose.

Analysts claim that the 'reinvigorated' IMF has learnt from its mistakes and can provide a stimulus to governments hoping to escape from economic downturn. But, with a new wave of poorer countries using its lending facilities, is the Fund on the eve of a 'benevolent' era? By Danny Roberts.

A recent evaluation of the World Bank’s health work is damning in its criticism of the lender’s approach, particularly in Africa. Meanwhile, the Bank is continuing to push privatisation in public services such as health, education and water, despite fierce criticism. By the Bretton Woods Project.

As president of the World Bank, Robert McNamara promoted top-down development rather than redistribution of wealth. The humanitarian consequences of these policies are comparable to the human cost of McNamara's leadership in the Vietnam war, says Walden Bello.

The International Monetary Fund regained its relevance at the G20 Summit with a trebling of its resources for lending – but is resurrecting the IMF such a good idea considering its controversial history?

In past financial crises, the International Monetary Fund has failed as an effective lender of last resort. This time, governments should insist that the practice of the IMF is reformed before allocating it further resources, says a report by CEPR.