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IMF Quotas; Constructing An International Organization Using Inferior Building Blocks

Author

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  • Graham Bird

    (University of Surrey)

  • Dane Rowlands

    (Carleton University)

Abstract

The International Monetary Fund’s structure and rules are based on the quota system that was constructed when the Fund was set up in 1946. Quotas affect contributions and resource availability at the Fund, access to resources, the distribution of Special Drawing Rights, and voting rights. Despite periodic reviews and modifications, the quota system has gradually been eroded and undermined. The fundamental problem is that a single system is attempting to serve four separate and incompatible functions. We illustrate how this erosion has taken place, and how an unreformed quota system will compromise the future operations of the IMF and the international monetary and financial system. Although the difficulties associated with reforming quotas are myriad and complex, the legacy of an unreformed quota system may be profoundly undesirable. We argue that a refined IMF structure must accommodate a clearer separation of a member’s contributions to the IMF, its access to IMF resources, and its voting rights at the institution.

Suggested Citation

  • Graham Bird & Dane Rowlands, 2005. "IMF Quotas; Constructing An International Organization Using Inferior Building Blocks," School of Economics Discussion Papers 1305, School of Economics, University of Surrey.
    • Handle: RePEc:sur:surrec:1305
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    File URL: https://repec.som.surrey.ac.uk/2005/DP13-05.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Vijay Kelkar & Vikash Yadav & Praveen Chaudhry, 2004. "Reforming the Governance of the International Monetary Fund," The World Economy, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 27(5), pages 727-743, May.
    2. Graham Bird, 1985. "World Finance and Adjustment," Palgrave Macmillan Books, Palgrave Macmillan, number 978-1-349-17938-1.
    3. Curzio Giannini & Mr. Carlo Cottarelli, 2002. "Bedfellows, Hostages, or Perfect Strangers? Global Capital Markets and the Catalytic Effect of IMF Crisis Lending," IMF Working Papers 2002/193, International Monetary Fund.
    4. Graham Bird, 1987. "Financing the Fund and Reforming Quotas," Palgrave Macmillan Books, in: International Financial Policy and Economic Development, chapter 8, pages 150-188, Palgrave Macmillan.
    5. Graham Bird & Dane Rowlands, 2001. "Catalysis or Direct Borrowing: The Role of the IMF in Mobilising Private Capital," The World Economy, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 24(1), pages 81-98, January.
    6. Graham Bird & Dane Rowlands, 2002. "Do IMF Programmes Have a Catalytic Effect on Other International Capital Flows?," Oxford Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 30(3), pages 229-249.
    7. Roland Vaubel, 1996. "Bureaucracy at the IMF and the World Bank: A Comparison of the Evidence," The World Economy, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 19(2), pages 195-210, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Graham Bird, 2007. "The Imf: A Bird'S Eye View Of Its Role And Operations," Journal of Economic Surveys, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 21(4), pages 683-745, September.
    2. ., 2016. "Introduction and overview: the purposes and operations of the IMF," Chapters, in: The International Monetary Fund, chapter 1, pages 1-18, Edward Elgar Publishing.
    3. Tatsuyoshi Miyakoshi, 2014. "Is the pragmatic response to International Monetary Fund quotas and credit limits favourable?," Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 46(33), pages 4075-4082, November.
    4. David P. Rapkin & Jonathan R. Strand & Michael W. Trevathan, 2016. "Representation and Governance in International Organizations," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 4(3), pages 77-89.
    5. Axel Dreher & Jan-Egbert Sturm & James Raymond Vreeland, 2006. "Does Membership on the UN Security Council Influence IMF Decisions? Evidence from Panel Data," CESifo Working Paper Series 1808, CESifo.
    6. Hernandez, Diego & Vadlamannati, Krishna Chaitanya, 2017. "Politics of religiously motivated lending: An empirical analysis of aid allocation by the Islamic Development Bank," Journal of Comparative Economics, Elsevier, vol. 45(4), pages 910-929.
    7. Matthew Harrison & Geng Xiao, 2019. "China and Special Drawing Rights—Towards a Better International Monetary System," JRFM, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-15, April.
    8. Joseph Joyce & Raul Razo-Garcia, 2011. "Reserves, quotas and the demand for international liquidity," The Review of International Organizations, Springer, vol. 6(3), pages 393-413, September.
    9. Dreher, Axel & Sturm, Jan-Egbert & Vreeland, James Raymond, 2009. "Development aid and international politics: Does membership on the UN Security Council influence World Bank decisions?," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 88(1), pages 1-18, January.
    10. Dreher, Axel & Sturm, Jan-Egbert & Vreeland, James Raymond, 2009. "Global horse trading: IMF loans for votes in the United Nations Security Council," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 53(7), pages 742-757, October.
    11. Hernandez, Diego, 2013. "Does Inclusion Guarantee Institutional Autonomy? The Case of the Inter-American Development Bank," Working Papers 0541, University of Heidelberg, Department of Economics.
    12. Dumitriu Ramona & Stefanescu Razvan, 2020. "Improving IMF’s Reputation in the Context of COVID-19," Risk in Contemporary Economy, "Dunarea de Jos" University of Galati, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, pages 230-238.
    13. Zaman, Khalid, 2023. "The Future of Financial Support for Developing Countries: Regional and Islamic Monetary Funds," MPRA Paper 116264, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised 05 Feb 2023.
    14. Hernandez , Diego & Vadlamannati , Krishna Chaitanya, 2014. "Politics of Religiously Motivated Lending: An Empirical Analysis of Aid Allocation by the Islamic Development Bank," Working Papers 0570, University of Heidelberg, Department of Economics.

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    JEL classification:

    • F33 - International Economics - - International Finance - - - International Monetary Arrangements and Institutions

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