G Whiz Posted by David Shorr

As Heather points out, there is a more basic set of diplomatic issues beyond the global economic matters at hand. Essentially, the geometry of 21st Century collective action. For years there has been a foreign policy cottage industry that focuses on 'the Gs' in their various numbers and permutations, and for good reason. I argued in Wednesday's Des Moines Register that the regular high-level meetings and global composition of these forums makes them an alluring source of political will. The palpable need for mechanisms that bring together global and regional powers of different sorts only further piques the interest. [Further thoughts and a shameless plug for our forthcoming Stanley Foundation book are on our publisher's blog.]

A bit of background that many of our knowledgeable DA readers might skip. The more familiar and established Group of Eight industrialized powers plus Russia had already been groping around for years, searching for a good way to pull China, India, Brazil, South Africa, and Mexico into closer consultation. To some in the latter group, the attempt seemed half-hearted at best, and insulting at worst. But then with the global recession serving as a cattle prod, the G20 -- previously a creature of finance ministers -- has now convened its heads of state and government not once but twice in five months.

All of which raises very interesting questions about the geometric shape of diplomatic things to come. Will the G20 become the 'go-to' summit, where the real power elite go to meet and eat? Will it adopt the forward-leaning pattern of meeting twice a year? If so, what becomes of the G8? And what will the G20 -- or G13, or G16 (GX?) -- talk about? (Answers to these and other questions below the fold.)

The latest substantive contribution on these questions comes from the Center for American Progress, in their excellent Case for Leadership report (Nina Hachigian provides a Cliff Notes version in The Guardian). The CAP proposal contains many interesting ideas, such as a reset button for the membership every five years, with objective economic criteria for membership.

I'd take slight issue, though, with their recommendation that the G20 stay focused only on economic matters. I believe it's important for these summit meetings to deal with a wider range of issues. Even as urgent as the global economy is, such high-level attention is a precious commodity that must be dispersed more widely. The CAP report says the UN Security Council has greater expertise to deal, for instance, with peace and security issues, but I don't think that's the right way to look at the respective comparative advantages and division of labor. The Security Council is in year-round session -- and can thus deal with fast-moving crises -- and its decisions can carry the force of international law. But the G20 represents a unique aggregation of political heft that could be useful for many issues (though CAP makes a good point that some international health issues might be below their pay grade). We need the national leaders to do what only they can do: light a fire of urgency under certain policy areas or break a logjam on others.

There are compelling reasons for the G20 to focus mainly on the global economy, but does this need to be their exclusive focus? I wonder if the G20 could have a two-tiered agenda -- combining greater attention to economic affairs with a revolving menu of other issues that need high level attention, with the follow-through taking place in more specialized forums.

Comments

[Dan Kervick]

From Geoff Dyer via Brad DeLong, maybe it is the G2 we should be looking to.

[Don Bacon]

I don't doubt that the good people of Iowa, where the top current news story is "600 hogs die in fire in central Iowa", are deeply concerned about what becomes of the G8 or G20 social hours. Not.

[David Shorr]

You're right that high-level diplomacy isn't uppermost in the mind of the typical Iowan, but nor is it completely off the radar. Aside from a general awareness that this is an interdependent world, I think the public knows that significant power shifts have taken place and pose an important challenge. When I spoke at an inner city high school in Kansas City, MO recently, the students were fuzzy on many basics of international affairs or simple matters of civics, but they knew that we've borrowed a lot of money from China.

[Gustto Handbags]

You're right that high-level diplomacy isn't uppermost in the mind of the typical Iowan

[replica Bvlgari Rings]

You're right that high-level diplomacy isn't uppermost in the mind of the typical Iowan

[luxury watches]

I am so with you,rolex watch
luxury watch

[timberland boots]

I have a strong feeling that the mark-to-market, it still wouldn't have been the right thing to do.

[ghghg]

CHEAP rs gold
MY lotro gold
CHEAPEST aion gold

[molded rubber products]

plastic parts made by injection molding
printing in China
construction scaffolding

[cheap coach handbags]

http://www.zetinopvoetbal.nl/forum/index.php

[cheap coach bags]

Great comments! You are so nice, man! You never know how much i like'em!

[cheap coach purses]

Yes, that's cool. The device is amazing! Waiting for your next one!

[acekard]

The creation of the G20 in 1999 was seen as recognition of the new economic and political realities, but neither the Swiss nor the Dutch nor the Spanish were particularly happy at being excluded.

[FFXIV Gil]

Are you fighting in Final Fantasy XIV for FFXIV Gil or Final Fantasy XIV Gil?
Can you suffer yourself being called newbie in FFXIV Gil game?
Are you seeking unofficial Buy FFXIV Gil cheats or Final Fantasy XIV guides in order to make Final Fantasy XIV Gil faster?
Can you get millions of Cheap FFXIV Gil in one day?
Even if you know how to farm Buy Final Fantasy XIV Gil you have to prepare enough Final Fantasy XIV Power Leveling first to buy height class Final Fantasy XIV Items, to upgrade your Final Fantasy XIV characters.
FF14 Gil Then why not Buy FFXIV Gil from us?
In Final Fantasy XIV it's the fastest way FF14 Gil,for you to get rich. We are online 24 hours a day ready and 7 days one week to power up your FFXIV Gil accounts with FFXIV Gil. Here is the best place for the Final Fantasy XIV Online players to buy your Final Fantasy XIV Gil.
We are the professional website in FFXIV GIL sale.FFXIV GIL here,We are professional FFXIV Power Leveling online. We update price every single day to make sure we are the lowest in the market.(we don't compare price with scam sites which uses unbelievable low price to deceive.)
Our slogan:Cheapest price, Fastest delivery, Best service! Final Fantasy XIV GIL
In the 2 years we are in this field , FFXIV GILbuilt many business with tens of thousands of customers. They are very satisfied with our service.So if you want to get a log of Cheap FFXIV Gil ,no doubt ,come to our website to buy. Our customer service is ready for you on line now!(WWW,GM MMO,COM Sell FFXIV Gil)

[3g modem]

well! i like this interesting post,thank you your sharing!

[China Tent]

I am totally agree with your oppinion.this blog post is very encouraging to people who want to know these topics.

[Explosion Proof Flash Lights]

We are committed to developing environmentally friendly and energy-saving explosion-proof light, led flashlight, led mining light,spotlight and light towers use of new technologies and materials.

[wholesale replica handbags]

i like your opinion. 2291 Peek A Boo Bag, m41526 Speedy 30, 1112, m40249 artsy mm, M45257 Messenger Bag, M40156 Neverfull MM, m40144 Tivoli GM, 6089, 211943 sukey, New Jackie

[xixihaha]

Women mostly donned cocktail dresses in the evenings to elegant events or special evening events. Although still regarded as formal-wear, several ladies have been using this dress in various ways. Late afternoon and early evening gatherings and events have become ideal venues to wear these dresses. You should select a cocktail dress that appears stylish. You must ensure that it's fashionable and fit for your body type. Don't assume all women could put on every kind of formal dress. A number of dress designs exist to fit every physique. Although a few ladies could pass as a supermodel, most possess a typical shape.These dresses are available in all colors just like pinks, red, black, orange, blue, brown, and so on.The light pink cocktail dresses and black pink cocktail dresses are the most popular cocktail dresses in the trends of 2011.IF you want to dance , i suggest you to choose the short cocktail dresses,like white short cocktail dresses or cute short cocktail dresses ,it is will make you looks stunning in the party that you join in.

These cocktail dresses suit perfectly at weddings, prom, night time party, holiday seasons, etc. No other dress can meet their sophistication and romance. But all depends on your individual style and what expression you want. Provocative look is a trend in fashion that each woman aspires for. To achieve that look, wear your dress appropriately. These complementing and trendy cocktail dresses offer a captivating feel of romance in you. When looking for a formal outfit, women should consider their body type. Get a dress that complements your entire shape. The ideal formal put on will emphasize a girl's figure and move focus on the areas that are most flattering. Displaying some skin at the neckline will draw focus to the bosom. A V-neck or some other plunging neckline is just the ticket. Less coverage at the very top in fact reveals a lot more. This type of gown may be emphasized with a bubbled hemline. Ladies can select from earrings, bracelets, necklaces, chokers, and evening bags. The need for a choker or necklace can be determined by the neckline of the dress. Preferably, a lady should begin with the dress itself to ensure that she is aware of what accents will go perfect with it. Having a few simple accents, any girl can appear stylish in a cocktail dress.