Adoption, implementation and impact of IMF programmes : a review of the issues and evidence

This paper evaluates the literature on the lending programmes of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The first section deals with the initiation of a Fund program, which has been shown to be influenced by political and institutional variables. A second focus of research analyses the design and implementation of Fund-supported polices, since many programmes are often not successfully completed. The third issue surveyed is the impact of IMF policies on the economy of the borrowing government. The effect of Fund programmes on private capital flows is also examined. (Comparative Economic Studies / SWP)