After more than 75 years since the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the world’s lender of last resort, made its first loan, the effects of its policies in general and lending practices in particular remain contested.
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As a result of intense debt pressure, Covid 19 and climate crisis, countries in the Global South have increasingly turned to the IMF for financial assistance. Such support however comes with the requirement that borrowing countries undertake policy reforms, called conditionalities, such as subsidy removal, currency devaluation, privatisation etc. Despite some improvement in country ownership of such reforms, it is argued that conditionalities pushed by IMF undermine national decision-making, obstruct development, lower government revenue, increase costs of basic services and destroy lives and livelihoods.
The course will begin with consideration of the rationale for and genesis of the IMF, examining the context for its establishment and an overview of its structure, authority, functions, interactions, decision-making and accountability. The course will also examine the operations of the IMF as a means to explore some of the pertinent issues of the day including debt crisis, human development and power imbalance. In addition, the course will investigate where IMF has been, how effective it has been and where it is headed.
What will we cover?
- History and structure - Decision-making within the IMF - Lending policies, Programs, Conditions & Reviews - Promise vs Performance - Future direction and prospects.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
- Demonstrate a substantive and practical knowledge of the IMF - Critically analyse the role and influence of IMF in countries of the Global South - Apply your acquired knowledge to other institutional contexts - Have a deeper appreciation of some of the debates that arise within the context of the existence and actions of Multilateral Development Banks - Contribute to public debate about the potential future role of Multilateral Development Banks for human development and global peace and prosperity.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This is an introductory course and no prior knowledge is required. Students of all backgrounds are welcome.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
The course will be taught with lecture, slide presentations, short videos and discussions.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
There are no additional costs, but you may wish to bring pen and paper for notetaking.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Please ask your tutor for the details of the term 3 progression courses courses on the role of the US Dollar in the global economy and China's Belt and Road Initiative.
Tariq Hassan is an associate professor and has taught at several universities in London, the US, Pakistan and Ukraine. He has a background in economics and political science with degrees from London School of Economics and the University of California in Los Angeles alongside a long career as a consultant across several sectors. At City Lit, Tariq teaches courses that link politics, economics and history, exploring big questions with deep histories with a focus rooted in the Global South.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
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https://www.citylit.ac.uk/international-monetary-fund-imf-friend-or-foe2492092International Monetary Fund (IMF): friend or foe?https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/i/n/international_monetary_fund_imf_friend_or_foe-hpc174_copy.jpg5959GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Politics & economics/Economics/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Politics & economics/Courses/vm/Issues Facing Our World2285117716721677170012285117716771653After more than 75 years since the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the world’s lender of last resort, made its first loan, the effects of its policies in general and lending practices in particular remain contested.002912289International Monetary Fund (IMF): friend or foe?5959https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/i/n/international_monetary_fund_imf_friend_or_foe-hpc174_copy_1.jpgInStockDaytimeSatKeeley StreetAvailable courses1 to 4 weeksWeekend2026-05-30T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allMay 2026Culture, history & humanitiesHPC1745959International Monetary Fund (IMF): friend or foe?473859Tariq Hassaninternational-monetary-fund-imf-friend-or-foe/hpc174-2526After more than 75 years since the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the world’s lender of last resort, made its first loan, the effects of its policies in general and lending practices in particular remain contested.0000-Available|2026-05-30 00:00:00As a result of intense debt pressure, Covid 19 and climate crisis, countries in the Global South have increasingly turned to the IMF for financial assistance. Such support however comes with the requirement that borrowing countries undertake policy reforms, called conditionalities, such as subsidy removal, currency devaluation, privatisation etc. Despite some improvement in country ownership of such reforms, it is argued that conditionalities pushed by IMF undermine national decision-making, obstruct development, lower government revenue, increase costs of basic services and destroy lives and livelihoods.<br/><br/>The course will begin with consideration of the rationale for and genesis of the IMF, examining the context for its establishment and an overview of its structure, authority, functions, interactions, decision-making and accountability. The course will also examine the operations of the IMF as a means to explore some of the pertinent issues of the day including debt crisis, human development and power imbalance. In addition, the course will investigate where IMF has been, how effective it has been and where it is headed.After more than 75 years since the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the world’s lender of last resort, made its first loan, the effects of its policies in general and lending practices in particular remain contested.- History and structure<br/>- Decision-making within the IMF<br/>- Lending policies, Programs, Conditions & Reviews<br/>- Promise vs Performance<br/>- Future direction and prospects.- Demonstrate a substantive and practical knowledge of the IMF<br/>- Critically analyse the role and influence of IMF in countries of the Global South<br/>- Apply your acquired knowledge to other institutional contexts<br/>- Have a deeper appreciation of some of the debates that arise within the context of the existence and actions of Multilateral Development Banks<br/>- Contribute to public debate about the potential future role of Multilateral Development Banks for human development and global peace and prosperity.This is an introductory course and no prior knowledge is required. Students of all backgrounds are welcome.The course will be taught with lecture, slide presentations, short videos and discussions.There are no additional costs, but you may wish to bring pen and paper for notetaking.Please ask your tutor for the details of the term 3 progression courses courses on the role of the US Dollar in the global economy and China's Belt and Road Initiative.Politics & economicsEconomicsvirtual475938HPC174NONESat30/05/26 - 06/06/2610:30 - 13:1510:3013:152 sessions (over 2 weeks)21 to 4 weeksDaytimeWeekendKSKeeley StreetTariq HassanBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2026-05-30T00:00:00+00:00May 2026Culture, history & humanities5959International Monetary Fund (IMF): friend or foe?international-monetary-fund-imf-friend-or-foe/hpc174-2526After more than 75 years since the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the world’s lender of last resort, made its first loan, the effects of its policies in general and lending practices in particular remain contested.0000-Available|2026-05-30 00:00:00As a result of intense debt pressure, Covid 19 and climate crisis, countries in the Global South have increasingly turned to the IMF for financial assistance. Such support however comes with the requirement that borrowing countries undertake policy reforms, called conditionalities, such as subsidy removal, currency devaluation, privatisation etc. Despite some improvement in country ownership of such reforms, it is argued that conditionalities pushed by IMF undermine national decision-making, obstruct development, lower government revenue, increase costs of basic services and destroy lives and livelihoods.<br/><br/>The course will begin with consideration of the rationale for and genesis of the IMF, examining the context for its establishment and an overview of its structure, authority, functions, interactions, decision-making and accountability. The course will also examine the operations of the IMF as a means to explore some of the pertinent issues of the day including debt crisis, human development and power imbalance. In addition, the course will investigate where IMF has been, how effective it has been and where it is headed.After more than 75 years since the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the world’s lender of last resort, made its first loan, the effects of its policies in general and lending practices in particular remain contested.- History and structure<br/>- Decision-making within the IMF<br/>- Lending policies, Programs, Conditions &amp; Reviews<br/>- Promise vs Performance<br/>- Future direction and prospects.- Demonstrate a substantive and practical knowledge of the IMF<br/>- Critically analyse the role and influence of IMF in countries of the Global South<br/>- Apply your acquired knowledge to other institutional contexts<br/>- Have a deeper appreciation of some of the debates that arise within the context of the existence and actions of Multilateral Development Banks<br/>- Contribute to public debate about the potential future role of Multilateral Development Banks for human development and global peace and prosperity.This is an introductory course and no prior knowledge is required. Students of all backgrounds are welcome.The course will be taught with lecture, slide presentations, short videos and discussions.There are no additional costs, but you may wish to bring pen and paper for notetaking.Please ask your tutor for the details of the term 3 progression courses courses on the role of the US Dollar in the global economy and China's Belt and Road Initiative.Politics & economicsEconomicsconfigurable
16721677Economicshttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/politics-and-world-affairs/economics1/2/285/1177/1677/16721/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Politics & economics/Economics
