This 1994 book is a collection of essays on the international monetary system written by some of the most authoritative economists and policymakers. All the fundamental components of the international monetary system are critically examined and some suggestions are presented for its probable, or desired, evolution.

In the last two decades international monetary relations have been characterized by latent instability, and more recently by severe tensions. Yet the issue of reforming the international monetary system does not appear on the agenda of the policymakers of the major countries involved. The International Monetary System tries to analyse this apparent contradiction. It brings together contributions from some of the most authoritative academic economists and monetary officials, and examines each of the fundamental functions of the international monetary system. There is broad support for improving present monetary arrangements with the aim of ensuring more stable conditions in monetary and financial markets and of promoting the orderly adjustment of payments disequilibria. For political reasons a fully fledged reform exercise is unlikely, but very few experts seem to like the status quo. This book provides the reader with a comprehensive account of the institutional and policy changes required to manage an increasingly integrated and interdependent global monetary and financial system.