Reforming the International Monetary System: From Roosevelt to Reagan. Headline Series No. 281.

This book examines the changed, and changing, international monetary system. It describes how the system has evolved under nine Presidents, from Franklin D. Roosevelt to Ronald Reagan. It also discusses the broader evolution of the world economy during this period, including the trade and investment issues to which international monetary policy is closely linked. The subjects are predominantly international but have a major impact on domestic economies. These international effects are why they should be of concern to most people. The dollar is viewed as both a national and an international money. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is viewed as one vehicle to support sound domestic economic policies, ease the developing nations debt problem, and maintain currency rates that facilitate the orderly flow of finance and trade. The table of contents lists the following chapters: (1) "The Bretton Woods System"; (2) "Cracks in the System"; (3) "The Camp David Bombshell and the Move Toward Floating Rates"; (4) "Floating Rates"; (5) "The Oil Crisis, the Debt Crisis and IMF Conditionality"; and (6) "Reform of the Monetary System." An appendix which contains a summary of proposals for improving or reforming the international monetary system, discussion questions, a reading list, and a glossary also are included. (EH)