The IMF leadership publicly praised Latvia’s austerity as a model for Europe.

Evidence

For IMF director general Christine Lagarde, Latvia was an “inspiration” for Southern Europe. Olivier Blanchard, IMF chief economist and austerity skeptic, noted that the Latvians “can take pain.” Even Hillary Clinton praised Latvia, saying that austerity will ensure a “stable, prosperous future.” — Mark Blyth, Austerity, 593

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: The IMF itself admitted Eurozone fiscal multipliers were underestimated 1.5-fold — Mark Blyth, Austerity: The History of a Dangerous…, 586; The IMF’s 2011-12 papers refuted the expansionary austerity hypothesis by name — Mark Blyth, Austerity: The History of a Dangerous…, 582

Broader Connections

• The IMF itself admitted Eurozone fiscal multipliers were underestimated 1.5-fold #contradicts (0.75) — Mark Blyth, Austerity, 586
• The IMF’s 2011-12 papers refuted the expansionary austerity hypothesis by name #contradicts (0.70) — Mark Blyth, Austerity, 582