Geopolitical Lending: Analyzing the Role of U.S. Policy in IMF Loan Distribution to Latin America
Open Access
Author:
Kobeh, Montse
Area of Honors:
Political Science
Degree:
Bachelor of Arts
Document Type:
Thesis
Thesis Supervisors:
Bumba Mukherjee, Thesis Supervisor Douglas Lemke, Thesis Honors Advisor
Keywords:
IMF Foreign Policy US Loans Cold War Cuba UNGA Latin America
Abstract:
This thesis explores the dynamic interplay between U.S. policy priorities and the allocation of International Monetary Fund (IMF) loans to Latin American countries, probing the extent to which geopolitical interests shape financial assistance strategies. At its core, the research investigates whether IMF lending practices serve as an extension of U.S. foreign policy, particularly in the context of promoting economic and political ideologies aligned with American interests. Drawing on a comprehensive review of IMF loan distributions and U.S. policy agendas, the study critically examines the hypothesis that loan allocations are influenced more by political considerations than by the economic needs or reform commitments of recipient countries. The analysis is framed against the backdrop of significant global challenges, including economic recessions, geopolitical conflicts, and shifts in international relations, which further complicate the landscape of international finance and development. By analyzing voting patterns at the United Nations General Assembly, this thesis uncovers the nuanced mechanisms through which political affinity and strategic concessions might sway the direction and conditions of IMF lending. In doing so, it contributes to the broader debate on the politicization of international economic institutions and the implications for national sovereignty and development in the Global South.
