What is the International Monetary Fund?

28 October 2011 Last updated at 10:28 ET Help

For many people in the West, the International Monetary Fund is one of a string of faceless international organisations.

But for many people in developing countries - and more recently in Greece, Portugal and the Irish Republic - the IMF's name arouses angry feelings.

Justin Rowlatt, of the BBC World Service's Business Daily, explains why.

You can find out more on our special report: The global economy - making it clear

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