The International Monetary Fund and the World Bank are key players in the global economy, but their role often goes unnoticed. The Structural Adjustment Programmes (SAPs) they introduce in the wake of financial crises aim to reform economies and ensure a flow of revenue for debt repayment. While this economic management seems sensible, it can have extremely harsh effects which can undermine development. Structural Adjustment: Theory, Practice and Impacts examines the genesis of these problems and reveals the damaging impacts that SAPs can have. Starting with a look at how the debt crisis of the 1970's forced developing countries to seek external help, the book moves on to review what constitutes a standard adjustment programme, detailing the political, economic and social and environmental impacts of SAPs. The final section draws together theoretical critiques of adjustment as well as political responses on the ground, and presents a case for alternatives to the programmes. Focusing on Africa, Latin America and Asia, this book presents the origins, impacts and alternatives to SAPs in an accessible and systematic manner and demonstrates the complex effects of these progr