In today’s world, the idea of world leaders gathering in the midst of economic crisis has become all-too familiar. But the summit at Bretton Woods in 1944 was the only time countries from around the world have agreed to overhaul the structure of the international monetary system. And what’s more, they were successful, establishing the International Monetary Fund and the International Bank for Reconstruction, which is today part of the World Bank. Some would argue that this was the closest to perfection the world’s economy has ever been, and contemplate if the demise of the Bretton Woods system is behind our present woes.