The Case Against Harry Dexter White: Still Not Proven

August 1, 2000

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Format: Chicago

James M. Boughton The Case Against Harry Dexter White: Still Not Proven, (USA: International Monetary Fund, 2000) accessed December 26, 2024

Disclaimer: This Working Paper should not be reported as representing the views of the IMF.The views expressed in this Working Paper are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent those of the IMF or IMF policy. Working Papers describe research in progress by the author(s) and are published to elicit comments and to further debate

Summary

Harry Dexter White, the principal architect of the international financial system established at the end of the Second World War, was arguably the most important U. S. government economist of the 20th century. His reputation, however, has suffered because of allegations that he spied for the Soviet Union. That charge has recently been revived by the declassification of documents showing that he met with Soviet agents in 1944 and 1945. Evaluation of that evidence in the context of White’s career and worldview casts doubt on the case against him and provides the basis for a more benign interpretation.

Subject: Administration in revenue administration, Bilateral trade agreements, Currencies, Economic classification, Financial institutions, International trade, Labor, Loans, Money, Public financial management (PFM), Revenue administration

Keywords: Administration in revenue administration, Allegations of White's sympathy, Bilateral trade agreements, Bretton Woods, Currencies, Eastern Europe, Economic classification, Europe, Global, Grand jury, Harry Dexter White, Indirect contact, Keystone of White's effort, KGB file, Loans, McCarthyism, Official duty, Rugs to White, Validity of White's motivation, WP

Publication Details

Pages:

21
Volume:

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DOI:

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Issue:

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Series:

Working Paper No. 2000/149
Stock No:

WPIEA1492000
ISBN:

9781451856880
ISSN:

1018-5941

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