The G20 A New Geopolitical Order

The composition of the Group of Twenty or G20 reflects the metamorphosis of world politics. In contrast with other 'Gs' (G8, G77) its members are both developed and emerging economies, democracies and authoritarian regimes, secular and religious governments. This book argues that the G20 is neither a global executive board for a new world order, nor is it just a crisis unit for failing economies. It is a laboratory for the observation, experimentation and invention of new forms of international cooperation that are redefining global politics.

Karoline Postel-Vinay is director of research at the National Foundation for Political Science in Paris. She specializes in International Relations and East Asian politics. Her previous book L'Occident et sa bonne parole analyzes the international scene and dominant geopolitical narratives from a non Western-centric perspective.

Table of Contents
Introduction: For a Political Reinterpretation of the G20
Chapter One: The G20 in the Constellation of Gs
Establishment of the G20: 1997 - 2008
The Proliferation of Gs and Other State Groupings since 1945
The G20, a Leadership Summit or a Leadership Network?
Chapter Two: Does the G20 Lack Legitimacy?
Defining International Legitimacy
The G20 against the UN?
The G20 instead of the G8?
Chapter Three: The End of 'The West and the Rest'
The Changing South
Redrawing the World
Conclusion: The G20, A New Grand Geopolitical Narrative?
Chronology: International Cooperation and the Gs since 1944
G20 Summit Themes from 2008 to 2011
Bibliographie thématique