The global economic system: asymmetries and inconsistencies

Purpose – To provide a systematic analysis of the contrasts, imbalances and suggestions for corrective action in the present globalized economic system and monetary and financial order in the framework of a conference organized by Webster University, Geneva (Switzerland) dealing with the outlook for international order. Design/methodology/approach – The paper is divided into two parts. The first provides an overview of the general characteristics of the globalized economy, of the interdependence of national and international orders and policy making and the issue of investments, technology transfer and global business. The second part contains a more detailed analysis of the international monetary and financial order, including the evolving role of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). While the paper provides a rigorous analysis of the institutional and policy issues, the analysis and the conclusions are accessible also to the non‐specialized reader. Findings – The paper focuses on the inconsistencies and asymmetries in the working of the international economic and monetary order and of the policies of the principal international organizations with respect to different groups of countries, and in particular the advanced, developed countries, on the one hand, and the developing countries, on the other hand. The corrective measures suggested by the author are in the interests of both groups of countries and thus of the system as a whole. Originality/value – The paper provides suggestions for improvements in the economic and monetary order of a globalised world on the basis of systematic policy analysis, anchored in economic theory, rather than political rhetoric.