International Monetary FundIntro:In July 1944, the United Nations Monetary and Financial Conference met at Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, to find a way to rebuild and stabilize the global economy which had been severely devastated by World War II. . One of the results of the conference was the creation of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) thanks to the signing of its statutes by 29 countries. The stated objectives of the IMF were to create international monetary cooperation, stabilize exchange rates, facilitate expansion and balanced growth. of international trade and to temporarily make the general resources of the IMF available to its members experiencing balance of payments difficulties, subject to adequate guarantees. In the early 1980s, the IMF had 143 member countries. Most communist countries, including the Soviet Union, did not join; and among Western countries, Switzerland did not participate (Compton's Interactive Encyclopedia, 1996). However, today there are 184 members (www.imf.org). By joining the IMF, each member country pays a certain amount of money which is known as a quota subscription, as a kind of deposit with a credit union (www.imf.org). The IMF evaluates the exchange rate policies of its members as part of a comprehensive analysis of each member's general economic situation and policy strategy. The IMF carries out its surveillance responsibilities through: annual bilateral Article IV consultations with each country; the context of its World Economic Outlook (WEO) exercise; and precautionary provisions, enhanced surveillance and program monitoring, which provide a member with close proximity to a wealthy, capitalist region. The original objectives of the IMF, for which it was created, have been achieved and it is time for real reform and not just a change of name or policy. Conditionality. (nd). Retrieved November 22, 2005, from the Conditionality website: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conditionalities.2. Engdahl, W. (n.d.). How the IMF Supports the Failing Dollar System. Retrieved November 22, 2005 from How the IMF Props Up theBankrupt Dollar System - EES Info Report website: http://ees.net.nz/info/How_the_IMF_Props_Up_the_Bankrupt_Dollar_System.htm.3. Engler, Y. (2005). Market famines. Retrieved November 22, 2005, from Znet Africa website: http://www.zmag.org/content/showarticle.cfm?SectionID=2&ItemID=8494.4. International Monetary Fund. (nd). Retrieved November 22, 2005 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imf.