Historical Dictionary of the International Monetary Fund

by Sarah Tenney, Norman K. Humphreys

Overview

In its more than 65 years of existence, the International Monetary Fund has evolved from a small, obscure international agency, with new and uncertain responsibilities, into a powerful institution that today has assumed center stage in the international monetary system. It is a remarkable story of how an institution has developed and adapted itself to an evolving world and a changing membership in ways that perhaps no other international agency has been forced or able to do.

The third edition of the Historical Dictionary of the International Monetary Fund provides a comprehensive overview of the fund, including a chronology, an introductory essay, appendixes, a bibliography, and over 300 cross-referenced dictionary entries on the organizations, significant leaders, founders, and members. This book is an excellent access point for students, researchers, and anyone wanting to know more about the International Monetary Fund.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780810867901
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	05/01/2011
Series:	Historical Dictionaries of International Organizations
Edition description:	Third Edition
Pages:	408
Product dimensions:	6.30(w) x 9.10(h) x 1.40(d)

About the Author

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.

Editorial Reviews

This new edition contains the traditional sections of this kind of work: a short history; related acronyms; a chronology from the IMF's beginnings in 1944 to 2009; concise entries on policies, programs, rules, major actions, constituents, important events, and significant figures over those years; a short statistical appendix; and an extensive bibliography of publications by and about the organization.

Choice Reviews

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

Part of the Historical Dictionaries of International Organizations series, this volume chronicles the 65
years of existence of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Like the two previous editions (1993 and 1999), the third edition provides a snapshot in history of the IMF and offers more information than can be found on the IMF’s website (www.imf.org) about the who, what, why, when, and how. Authors Humphreys (who wrote the first two editions) and Tenney (who is responsible for the third) have a combined experience of almost 40 years on the IMF staff. The dictionary is organized into three major sections: introductory information (acronyms and abbreviations as well as a chronology), more than 300 dictionary entries, and closing information (appendixes and a bibliography). Entries are arranged alphabetically and include bold text of words cross referencing other entries in the dictionary. Each entry is written in a way that does not require a lot of technical knowledge. Length ranges from a few paragraphs to several pages. Terminology of the IMF, structure and staffing, individuals associated with the IMF, programs, and policies are among the topics that are covered. The statistical appendix contains data about the IMF. The bibliography lists publications issued by the IMF, followed by a shorter listing of additional resources. This volume is a useful dictionary with a strong historical context for information, suitable for individuals not knowledgeable about the IMF and its impact on international organizations and finance. Recommended for academic, corporate, and large public libraries.

Booklist

This new edition contains the traditional sections of this kind of work: a short history; related acronyms; a chronology from the IMF's beginnings in 1944 to 2009; concise entries on policies, programs, rules, major actions, constituents, important events, and significant figures over those years; a short statistical appendix; and an extensive bibliography of publications by and about the organization.

Choice

This new edition contains the traditional sections of this kind of work: a short history; related acronyms; a chronology from the IMF's beginnings in 1944 to 2009; concise entries on policies, programs, rules, major actions, constituents, important events, and significant figures over those years; a short statistical appendix; and an extensive bibliography of publications by and about the organization.

CHOICE

Part of the Historical Dictionaries of International Organizations series, this volume chronicles the 65
years of existence of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Like the two previous editions (1993 and 1999), the third edition provides a snapshot in history of the IMF and offers more information than can be found on the IMF’s website (www.imf.org) about the who, what, why, when, and how. Authors Humphreys (who wrote the first two editions) and Tenney (who is responsible for the third) have a combined experience of almost 40 years on the IMF staff. The dictionary is organized into three major sections: introductory information (acronyms and abbreviations as well as a chronology), more than 300 dictionary entries, and closing information (appendixes and a bibliography). Entries are arranged alphabetically and include bold text of words cross referencing other entries in the dictionary. Each entry is written in a way that does not require a lot of technical knowledge. Length ranges from a few paragraphs to several pages. Terminology of the IMF, structure and staffing, individuals associated with the IMF, programs, and policies are among the topics that are covered. The statistical appendix contains data about the IMF. The bibliography lists publications issued by the IMF, followed by a shorter listing of additional resources. This volume is a useful dictionary with a strong historical context for information, suitable for individuals not knowledgeable about the IMF and its impact on international organizations and finance. Recommended for academic, corporate, and large public libraries.

Booklist

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 (ARBA)

Former IMF staffers Tenney and Humphreys have updated this dictionary, which begins with a four-page list of acronyms and abbreviations, followed by a chronology of the Fund from 1944 to 2009. Next, a 37-page narrative focuses on topics such as par values, the gold standard, and the structure and services of the IMF. The dictionary entries that follow range in length from a paragraph to several pages and address subjects that are specific to the organization and its functions. The volume concludes with a short statistical appendix and a substantial bibliography. Users could locate much of the information contained in the narrative and appendixes in a variety of free online sources, starting with the IMF's own website (www.imf.org), which offers both an overview and an excellent historical account of the organization, plus an extensive array of statistics. Many of the definitions of terms specific to the IMF can be found in general economics dictionaries, both in print (Oxford Dictionary of Economics) and online (the subscription-based New Palgrave Dictionary of Economics). BOTTOM LINE Because of its narrow focus, this dictionary should be considered only for international economics collections in large academic libraries. Although well written and informative, it is a niche work with two main uses: as a supplement to other sources regarding the IMF or as a starting point for more detailed research.—Jennifer Michaelson, Cleveland

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