The IMF in Many Ways Is Like a Medieval Doctor Where no Matter what the Ailment, You Apply Leeches and Bleed the Patient

The raging debate regarding the supposed failings of the International Monetary Fund, or IMF, is one that is so deep-rooted and filled with differing agendas that it would be impossible to do it justice in just 1000 words. My objective is to cover the main issues of the debate and form my own opinions from various sources and viewpoints of the situation through the medium of this essay.
To begin, the IMF was established, in its own words (IMF, 2002), to "prevent crises in the system... through monitoring, lending and giving technical assistance... to any of its 184 member countries". …