How Does the UN Record in the Economic and Social Arena Compare to the Bretton Woods Institutions?
It is important to stress at the outset that the results to date of our history call into question much conventional wisdom about UN work in the economic and social development field. This refers specifically to assertions suggesting that UN activities have been ineffective, ideological, and low quality, especially compared to the contributions of the Bretton Wood institutions. UNIHP studies and interviews have certainly identified areas where the UN has slipped in recent years, just like the World Bank or the IMF, and where improvements are needed. Notwithstanding, examination of the record makes clear that the UN has been more pioneering and successful in economic and social development questions than often realized or acknowledged. The following examples are elaborated in more detail in the booklet, The Power of UN Ideas: • The UN has made truly pioneering contributions in a number of key economic areas. These include the analysis of global inequalities in trading relationships (the
