This book provides an up-to-date and critical review of the recent history and current status of the main economic institutions affecting international trade and relations. The authors emphasise the economic effectiveness or otherwise of such bodies as GATT, IMF, EEC, UNCTAD and the World Bank, but take account of the political factors present in both the initial 'design' and in the way that the institutions have developed. In particular, the book analyses the changed degree of dominance which the USA has been able to exert on the international community.