Routledge The G8 System and the G20: Evolution, Role and Documentation (Global Finance)

The Group of Eight has become a central actor in global governance with a steadily expanding role and agenda. The leaders' summits remain at the apex of the G8 system, but the leaders' work is complemented by intensifying and expanding networks of ministerial fora as well as various task forces and expert groups. Some of these entities, initially launched by the leaders, have taken on a life of their own with an agenda that diverges from the main concerns of the summits. Following on from Hajnal's acclaimed book The G7/G8 System, this volume discusses the origins, characteristics, evolution, role and agenda of the G7 and G8 system, including a systematic survey of its components. It introduces the major debates about the G7 and G8, looks at proposals to reform the G8-G20 and provides a detailed study of the complex, elusive and changing patterns of documentation of the broader G8-G20 system, including electronic information. Review ACUNS (The Academic Council on the United Nations Systems) Book of the Month, September 2007 '...provides the reader with a thoughtful and comprehensively documented examination of the G8 system and associated G20 finance ministers’ grouping. Hajnal’s work is scholarship of the best kind - informed, perceptive and carefully judged. This accessible and well-researched study will be of great value to all interested in these key mechanisms of global governance.' Timothy J. Sinclair, University of Warwick, UK '...presents a rich account of the history and peculiarities of the G7/G8 framework and proposals for its future reform. In addition, Hajnal provides an essential map to the documentation of the global governance system - for which he has been a principle archivist - thus making this book an essential resource for global policy scholars and practitioners alike.' Joseph P. Daniels, Marquette University, USA 'Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduate through professional collections.' Choice 'The unique character and the growing importance of the G7/G8 system are thoroughly explored in this book...The book updates and enriches the subjects covered in Hajnal's earlier volume, The G7/G8 System of 1999...The book also provides an extremely useful and detailed study of the complex and elusive G8 documentation, going beyond official documents and evaluating other important sources of information, such as internet resources, which are eessential for a better understanding of the processes and complexities of the G8 system.' The International Spectator About the Author Peter I. Hajnal is a Research Associate in Arts at the Munk School of Global Affairs, Trinity College University of Toronto, Canada