IMF Essays from a Time of Crisis: The International Financial System, Stabilization, and Development

(Paperback)

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Stanley Fischer served as First Deputy Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund from 1994 to 2001. IMF Essays from a Time of Crisis collects sixteen essays written for the most part during his time at the IMF, each updated with Fischer's later reflections on the issues raised. The IMF drew much criticism for some of its actions during Fischer's tenure, and he vigorously defends the "battlefield medicine" practiced by the IMF during a series of economic crises, which included the problems of economic transition in the former Soviet bloc and the Asian financial crisis. Fischer addresses the subsequent calls for reform of the international financial system and makes the case for the IMF as an international lender of last resort.The first section of essays, "The Role of the IMF and the Reform of the International Financial System," considers the IMF's role in the international financial system in light of the crises of the 1990s. The second section, "Macroeconomic Policy, Stabilization, and Transition," examines such topics as exchange rate regimes, inflation, and Eastern Europe's relation to the European Union. The final section, "Poverty and Development," reflects Fischer's basic belief that economic policies should explicitly target poverty reduction. These engaging and accessible essays will appeal not only to economics students, economists, and policymakers but also to the general reader interested in the international monetary system.

Reviews

"A deeply thoughtful and engaging collection of essays from a justly celebrated academic economist and policymaker who, for seven years as No. 2 at the International Monetary Fund, flew into the eye of the greatest international financial storms of the modern era." Kenneth S. Rogoff, Professor of Economics and Director of the Center for International Development, Harvard University "One has trouble thinking of another economist--at least, since Keynes!--who has done as well as Stan Fischer at combining analytical skill, good policy sense, clear expression, selfless dedication toward making the world a better place, and the ability to get everything done, and with imperturbable good humor as well. This book considers the important macroeconomic issues that faced him as No. 2 at the IMF. The aim is to get at the best available answers to these questions, rather than to participate in a trumped-up and simplistic public debate over whether or not the IMF and globalization are truly evil." Jeffrey Frankel, Harpel Professor of Capital Formation and Growth, Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University " A timely exploration of dollarization, by an outstanding collection of authors."--Jeffrey A. Frankel, Harpel Chair of Capital Formation and Growth, Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University "One has trouble thinking of another economist -- at least, since Keynes! -- who has done as well as Stan Fischer at combining analytical skill, good policy sense, clear expression, selfless dedication toward making the world a better place, and the ability to get everything done, and with imperturbable good humor as well. This book considers the important macroeconomic issues that faced him as Number 2 at the IMF. The aim is to get at the best available answers to these questions, rather than to participate in a trumped-up and simplistic public debate over whether or not the IMF and globalization are truly evil."--Jeffrey A. Frankel, Harpel Chair of Capital Formation and Growth, Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University

Author Bio

Stanley Fischer is former Governor of the Bank of Israel and has been nominated as Vice Chair of the Federal Reserve . He is the author of IMF Essays from a Time of Crisis- The International Financial System, Stabilization, and Development (MIT Press).