The issue is one part of a larger debate over what, if anything, fiscal and monetary policy can do to inspire a short-term rebound and at the same time to encourage longer-term rehabilitation of weak Western economies.

FORBES: Deficits hinder investment? 'Ludicrous'

And they concluded that the outlook for equity and bond returns in the short term was about the same: between 2% and 4%.

ECONOMIST: Investment: In search of those elusive returns | The

How, they ask, can the Fund have long-term involvement in the poorest countries and, at the same time, be a short-term crisis manager?

ECONOMIST: Intrigue on 19th Street