The G8 and the G20 – Nation States and Global Governance

Abstract

In this article I consider G-something an attempt of
nation states to answer the fact that the ever growing number of
economic transactions, security threats, and political issues
passes from the national or international spheres into the socalled
transnational sphere, i.e. beyond the borders and authority
of the nation states. International terrorism, global warming,
migration waves, global civic society, international corporations,
international financial flows, and many other issues and actors
which change the character of international environment are no
more dependent on the intentions and policies of states.
Coordinating the actions within a small group of world powers of
similar views via a semi-formal grouping is, in my opinion, the
response of nation states to these changes. Strong nation states
want to retain their share of participation in the changes of the
international environment and, if possible, to direct them in a
manner which would not jeopardise the strong position of states
as a type of actor and the position of the member states of that
grouping as individual units.