2008年全球爆發金融危機，受到資本主義龍頭美國房地產泡沫和次級房貸風暴的影響，許多大型金融機構相繼倒閉或被政府接管，數以兆美元計的股市和資產總值流失，全球經濟受到重創，成為1929年經濟大蕭條以來最大的經濟危機。為了挽救全球金融系崩潰，各國政府採取空前的挽救措施。在此同時，中東產油國和亞洲新興國家透過主權基金收購歐美發生財務危機的大型金融機構的股票，這使得主權基金的議題受到各國關注。本文的目的在討論主權基金的定義、主權基金興起的背景、過去全球主權基金發展的情形，以及主權基金對國際經濟體系的影響。

A dramatic rise in mortgage delinquencies and foreclosures in the U.S. triggered serious adverse consequences for banks and financial markets around the globe in 2008. It has resulted in the collapse of large financial institutions, the bailout of banks by national governments and downturns in stock markets around the world estimated in the trillions of U.S. dollars. Meanwhile, the newly industrialized countries (NICs), in particular China, and the Middle East countries, enjoy huge trade surplus from their commodities or energy exports with the west countries especially the U.S. were keen on buying shares from the troublesome financial institutions with huge money of their SWFs. It raised concerns form the West doubting that if the governments make SWFs as political instruments to buy the West’s assets. The article aims to discuss the meanings of SWFs, the background of the rise of the SWFs, the development of SWFs, and the influences of SWFs on the international economic system.