Round The World

New Delhi, 14 July 2009

Is G8 Redundant?

TIME TO INCLUDE LESSER HALF

By Monish Tourangbam

Research Scholar, School of International Studies, JNU

The world is in a constant state of flux. International politics has seen the rise and fall of major powers. International institutions and blocs are only a mirror of the changing political realities and power distribution among states in the global system. In recent times, questions have been raised on the relevance of the UN Security Council in its present form. G8, the elite bloc of developed nations, is no exception. In the recently-concluded G8 Summit in Italy, serious thought was given to reforming the group and making it more inclusive. A need was felt to provide a platform to new emerging economies, such as China and India, where they become partners in the bloc rather than mere petitioners.

The concept of G14 was raised on a serious note, reflecting the changing contours of international relations. It is meant to provide a ‘partnership between equals’, among the developed and developing countries. Even among the developed countries, G8’s relevance is being increasingly questioned in the wake of the ongoing economic crisis and the role of emerging economies. It is only a matter of time before the G8, under pressure from changing economic scenario gets replaced by a broader G14 comprising India, the US, China, Russia, Japan, France, Germany, Brazil, South Africa, Mexico, Canada, the UK, Italy and Egypt.

When it becomes a reality, the G14 would represent around 80% of the world economy. Clearly, it would be a more cohesive forum for dialogue in a world which is grappling with issues of regulation and restructuring of financial systems. India was present in Italy as part of the G5, which includes emerging economies of Brazil, China, Mexico and South Africa. During deliberations of the G8 and G5, the idea of G14 dealing with problems plaguing the international community got some support.

Recall, that the G8 acquired the present form when after the Cold War, Russia was inducted as a new member of the elite club, which was originally formed as a bloc of the more powerful countries on one side of the bi-polar world. Since the G8 is intended to be an informal forum, a sort of a fireside gathering among the leaders of the developed countries, it lacks an administrative structure like international bodies such as the UN or the World Bank. It is fashioned as a yearly process of providing a meeting place where the heads of some of the most- influential countries gather and discuss pressing issues of the world. The group does not have a permanent secretariat or offices for its members.

True to its informal structure, the G8 Summit is rarely seen as the place to flesh out details of remedying any controversial or difficult issue. The yearly summit does not serve as a place where leaders could arrive at definite and quick solutions. It lacks the authority of a place where leaders can spell out concrete state policies. In fact, the meeting resembles more a brain-storming session where policymakers talk and think together about certain issues, the result of which would be taken forward in other more formalized and institutionalized meetings. This can, to some extent, explain the lack of finer points in the provisions proposed to fight climate change. Instead, it is seen as a warm-up to the new UN climate pact due to be agreed this December.

In recent times, the importance of rising economies like India and China is increasingly being realized and has resulted in the G8 reaching out to the G5 to involve them in battling various international issues. But, the effort to reach out was seen as half-hearted as the invitees participated without any voting rights and were expected, at the most, to endorse the provisional policies of the developed countries towards the rest of the world and turning up for the photo-ops. But, lately India has emphasized that it no longer wished to be a bench-warmer. It has been sending a message to the developed counties that a vibrant economy and an effective democracy needed to be considered an equal-partner during the deliberations at the summits.

Members of the G5 and booming economies like China and Brazil have also raised similar concerns. The reluctance of the G8 countries to broaden the group has been further weakened by the impact of the global economic crisis. As a consequence, they are increasingly receptive of the idea that the group should be made more inclusive so as to mirror the changing nature of the global order, where emerging economies (represented by the G5) have to be given more voice. There can be no hope of solving any major international issue, be it the climate change or the economic crisis, in the absence of the developing countries.

Thus, the G8 and G5 countries for the first time in the history of G8 summits jointly prepared a declaration ‘Promoting the Global Agenda’. It was signed by leaders of 14 countries driving home the point that the concept of G14 has found receptive ears. Another group, the G20 has been in the news for its London Summit this year. The G20 is formally a group of finance ministers and central bank governors from 20 economies. But it has met twice at heads-of-government level, in November last year and again this April. It comprises 19 of the world's largest national economies, plus the European Union (EU).

Collectively, the group comprises around 85% of global gross national product, 80% of world trade (including EU intra-trade) and two-thirds of the world population. Perhaps intended as a message to the G8 members, Prime Minister Singh was reported to have appreciated G20 because it gave equal footing to both the developed and developing countries. International relations have seen different periods from the end of World War II to the end of Cold War, when changes were viewed inevitable to reflect the changing global order. The world seems to be passing through yet another phase when blocs and institutions need restructuring and reformation.

Taking note of the present scenario, the developing countries seem to be heard more seriously and there is apparent realization of the inevitability to involve these countries. Thus, the G14 seems ready for take-off. But, only time will tell if the G8 is really prepared to revamp as G14 or it will, yet again, be a case of G8-plus the selected others.---INFA

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