"The IMF in many ways is like a medieval doctor where no matter what the ailment, you apply leeches and bleed the patient". Discuss.

The raging debate regarding the supposed failings of the International Monetary Fund, or IMF, is one that is so deep-rooted and filled with differing agendas that it would be impossible to do it justice in just 1000 words. My objective is to cover the main issues of the debate and form my own opinions from various sources and viewpoints of the situation through the medium of this essay. To begin, the IMF was established, in its …

…nation that followed the rules fell to pieces Washington Post - http://www.treasaigh.com/ArgentBlog/000152.html (18th November 2002) J. Woodroffe + M. Ellis-Jones (Sep 21, 2002) States of unrest: resistance to IMF policies in poor countries http://www.globalexchange.org/wbimf/statesOfUnrest.html (17th November, 2002) Economist (Sep 27, 2002) A thankless Job http://www.globalpolicy.org/socecon/bwi-wto/imf/2002/0927thankless.htm (13th November 2002) Guardian (July 8, 2002) Reforming the IMF http://www.globalpolicy.org/socecon/bwi-wto/imf/2002/0708reform.htm (13th November 2002)