Publications: Academic, Policy, and Editorial Work

Papers

  • “Montenegro and the Euro: Implications for Policy Space.” Central Banking, Monetary Policy and the Political Economy of Dollarization. Edward Elgar Publishing. Merling, L. (forthcoming, May 2025).

  • "Climate policy at the International Monetary Fund: No voice for the vulnerable?" Global Policy, Merling, L., & Forster, T. (2024).

  • "Drivers and impacts of inflation: a look at energy prices, exchange rate volatility, and stock markets." Eastern European Journal for Regional Studies (EEJRS), Merling, L., Cashman, K., & Vladoi, A. (2023).

  • "Special Drawing Rights: The Right Tool to Use to Respond to the Pandemic and Other Challenges." Challenge, Cashman, K., Arauz, A. & Merling, L. (2022).

  • "Digitalization And The World Of Work: Implications For International Labor Standards." Proceedings of the International Management Conference 16 (1), 841-852, Merling, L., Cashman, K., & Vladoi, A. (2022).

  • "Fiscal consolidation and public debt in the European Union: Reevaluating the relationship." Theoretical & Applied Economics, Merling, L., & Vladoi, A. (2022).

  • "Evaluating the Implementation of the IMF’s Institutional View on Capital Flows." Boston University GEGI Working Paper, Ramos, L., Merling, L., & Gallagher, K. (2022).

  • "Similarities between Stock Market Reactions During the 2007 Financial Crisis and the 2020-2021 Coronavirus Pandemic: Correlation and Cointegration Analyses." European Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies, Merling, L., & Vladoi, A. (2022).

Policy Reports

  • “All roads lead to reform: A financial system fit to mobilize $1.3 trillion for climate finance.” UNCTAD (2025). Link

  • “Green Industrial Policy Needs a New Financial Architecture.” Climate and Community Institute, w. Biriss M. (2025). Link

  • "The Rising Cost of Debt: An Obstacle to Achieving Climate and Development Goals." Center for Economic and Policy Research, Merling, L., Vasic-Lalovic, I., Valle Cuellar, L., & Huerta Ojeda, A. (2024). Link

  • "Adapting Our Financial Architecture in a Crisis-Prone World: A Civil Society Proposal for Special Drawing Rights Reform." ActionAid USA, Merling, L., Sward, J., & Amerasinghe, N. (2024). Link

  • "Taking Responsibility: Towards a Fit for Purpose Loss and Damage Fund." UN Conference on Trade and Development, Merling, L., Gallogly-Swan, K., Meadway, J., & Stabinsky, D. (2023). Link

  • "Addressing Cross-border Spillover Risks of Climate Transition Policies: The Role of the G20 and IMF." T20 Policy Brief, Rishikesh Ram Bhandary, R., Gourdel, R., He, X., Merling, L., & Monasterolo, I. (2023). Link

  • "Reforming the IMF for a Resilient Recovery." International Trade Union Confederation, Merling, L. (2021). Link

  • "Market Fundamentalism and the World Bank Group: From Structural Adjustment Programmes to Maximizing Finance for Development and Beyond." International Trade Union Confederation, Merling, L. (2020). Link

  • "Argentina’s Deal with the IMF: Will 'Expansionary Austerity' Work?" Center for Economic and Policy Research, Weisbrot, M., & Merling, L. (2018). Link

  • "Puerto Rico’s Peculiar Case: Bankruptcy of an Unincorporated Territory." UNCTAD, Merling, L. (2018). Link

  • "The Pact for Mexico After Five Years: How Has It Fared?" Center for Economic and Policy Research, Weisbrot, M., Watts, R., Johnston, J., & Merling, L. (2018). Link

  • "Puerto Rico’s New Fiscal Plan: Certain Pain, Uncertain Gain." Center for Economic and Policy Research, Merling, L., & Johnston, J. (2018). Link

  • "The UK Economy at the Crossroads." Center for Economic and Policy Research, Weisbrot, M., & Merling, L. (2018). Link

  • "Life After Debt in Puerto Rico: How Many More Lost Decades?" Center for Economic and Policy Research, Merling, L., & Cashman, K. (2017). Link

  • "The French Economy, European Authorities, and the IMF: 'Structural Reform' or Increasing Employment?" Center for Economic and Policy Research, Weisbrot, M., Merling, L., et al. (2017). Link

  • "Did NAFTA Help Mexico? An Update After 23 Years." Center for Economic and Policy Research, Weisbrot, M., Merling, L., et al. (2017). Link

  • "Decade of Reform: Ecuador’s Macroeconomic Policies, Institutional Changes, and Results." Center for Economic and Policy Research, Weisbrot, M., Johnston, J., & Merling, L. (2017). Link

  • "More Trouble Ahead: Puerto Rico’s Impending Medicaid Crisis." Center for Economic and Policy Research, Merling, L., & Johnston, J. (2017). Link

Editorials & Shortform Articles

  • "America First?" The Polycrisis, Phenomenal World, Merling, L. & Mackenzie, K. (2024). Link

  • "Greenwashing Structural Adjustment." Phenomenal World, Merling, L. (2024). Link

  • "80 years post Bretton Woods, it’s time for just finance." Devex, Merling, L., Sward, J., & Amerasinghe, N. (2024). Link

  • "The G7 Summit: A Missed Opportunity to Renew Multilateralism Amid Overlapping Crises." Boston University GDP Center, Merling, L. (2023). Link

  • "Remaking Multilateralism for a Development-Centered Climate Agenda: Takeaways from COP27 and the G20 Summit." Boston University GDP Center, Merling, L. (2022). Link

  • "Quota Reform Needed at IMF in Order to Address 21st Century Challenges." Bretton Woods Project Observer, Merling, L. (2022). Link

  • "To Avert a Global Debt Crisis, IMF’s Reserve Assets Need Greater Support." The Hill, Merling, L., & Gallagher, K. (2022). Link

  • "Developing Countries Need IMF Funds Now, Not Later." Initiative for Policy Dialogue at Columbia University, Merling, L. (2021). Link

  • "Ecuador’s new loan program: a tale of two IMFs." openDemocracy, Merling, L. (2020). Link

  • "We Can’t Trust the IMF and World Bank to Lead the COVID-19 Recovery." Jacobin, Merling, L. (2020). Link

  • "Without an Economic Recovery, Argentina Cannot Repay Its Debt." CEPR, Merling, L. (2020). Link

  • "Why a strong multilateral response is key to tackling COVID-19." openDemocracy, Merling, L. & Baunach, L. (2020). Link

  • "Why we must reform the IMF – before it’s too late." openDemocracy, Merling, L. & Baunach, L. (2019). Link

  • "In planning a global economic recovery, it’s time to turn the page on inequality." Equal Times, Merling, L. & Baunach, L. (2020). Link

  • "Despite its new rhetoric, the IMF still promotes failed policies." Equal Times, Merling, L. (2019). Link

  • "IMF framework on social spending out of step with international standards." Bretton Woods Project, Merling, L. (2019). Link

  • "After the Argentina Debacle, the IMF Endorses Weakening Capital Controls in Ecuador." openDemocracy, Merling, L. (2019). Link

  • "Sovereign Debt Restructuring: Not Falling Prey to Vultures." pagina12, Merling, L. & Baunach, L. (2019). Link

  • "Puerto Rico’s Colonial Legacy and its Continuing Economic Troubles." CEPR, Merling, L. (2018). Link

  • "Puerto Rico’s Crisis Has Been Good for Many — Just Not the Island’s Residents." CEPR, Merling, L. & Johnston, J. (2018). Link

  • "The Pain of Puerto Ricans: A Profit Source for Creditors." The Philadelphia Inquirer, Merling, L. (2018). Link

  • "What Money Can’t Buy: The Moral Questions of Market Solutions." Economic Questions, Merling, L. (2018). Link

  • "Wall Street Is Trying to Embezzle Puerto Rico’s Hurricane Relief Money." Jacobin, Merling, L. (2018). Link

  • "Privatization Won’t Fix Puerto Rico’s Broken Power Utility." NACLA, Merling, L. (2018). Link

  • "Congress: Remember Puerto Rico Needs Fair Medicaid Funding Too." The Hill, Merling, L. (2017). Link

  • "Puerto Rico’s Oversight Board: The Grinch who Stole Christmas and Came Back for More." CEPR, Merling, L. (2017). Link

  • "The Looming Threat of Automation: The Data Show A Different Story." CEPR, Merling, L. (2016). Link

  • "What the Late 90s Should Have Taught Us: Inflation Does Not Necessarily Accelerate When Unemployment Is Low." CEPR, Merling, L. (2016). Link