The IMF looks after short-term macroeconomic stability in the world economy. It's also dishing out loans for long-term health policies, which should usually be any World Bank's remit. The problem is that the fund just doesn't have the staff to sustain these kind of programs.
The International Monetary Fund is sitting on oodles of cash, but failing to disburse it. We examine why China’s lending practices are putting the IMF on a path to irrelevance. Climate change is already squeezing farmers in Latin America; some outright crazy agricultural policies are making matters worse. And reasons not to ban a well-known workplace species: the “talented jerk”.
For full access to print, digital and audio editions of The Economist, try a free 30-day digital subscription by going to www.economist.com/intelligenceoffer