The IMF and the Stormy Decade

IMF Podcasts, December 28, 2011

Source details

Episode date: December 28, 2011
Focus decade: the 1990s
Key historical moment highlighted: Celebrating the new year in Berlin in 1990. The fall of the Berlin wall ushered in an era of economic reforms in Eastern Europe (Corbis/Wolfgang Kumm)
Central theme: the IMF’s role during a tumultuous era that combined large-scale political-economic transitions, capital account crises, and institutional reform

Transition assistance:
- The IMF oversaw the transition of many former Eastern bloc countries into market economies.
Crisis response:
- The IMF played an important role in the aftermath of major capital account crises.
Institutional reform:
- The IMF introduced historic reforms back at headquarters during the 1990s.
Narrative source:
- Insights and historical perspective provided by James Boughton, IMF, historian.

Host/producer: Bruce Edwards, International Monetary Fund
- Bruce Edwards produces the IMF podcast program and is described as an award-winning audio producer and journalist who has covered armed conflicts, social unrest, and natural disasters from all corners of the world. He believes economists have an important role in solving the world's problems and aspires to showcase their research in every IMF podcast.
Contributor: Rhoda Metcalfe
- RHODA METCALFE is an independent journalist and audio producer.