The G-8 countries areinternational political club. The Group of eight unites the governments of democratic states. Some sources say that the G8 is, in a way, a key informal mechanism that coordinates the political and financial-economic course of the modern world. Associate the association also with the "board of directors", which includes such developed countries of the world as the USA, Germany, Italy, Canada, Japan, France, Britain, Russia, the European Union. The role of the "eight" in the life of society is determined by the level and potential of the countries in it.
Страны большой восьмерки не имеют собственной headquarters, as well as the charter and the secretariat. In comparison with the World Economic Forum, this association does not have a department, and even a website on the Internet. Despite this, the G8 stands on the same level as organizations such as OECD, WTO, IMF.
The history of the G-8
History of the formation of this associationis not accidental. This event was promoted by many international events that occurred in the 70s of the last century. Firstly, it is the disintegration of the financial system of Bretton Wood, the unsuccessful attempts to reform it by the IMF and the IBRD. Secondly, in 1972 there was an expansion of the European Union, which led to changes in the economy of the West. The third factor was the oil crisis of 73, which led to disagreements among Western countries and OPEC countries. Finally, the final reason was the economic recession of 1974 in the OECD countries. The recession was accompanied by inflation and unemployment.
These and other conditions indicated that the world andsociety needed a new mechanism that could coordinate the interests of Western countries. For the first time, the finance ministers of the United States, Britain, Germany and France met in 1973. Later, Japan joined them, two years later France. In 1975, among the countries of the union was Italy, later the European Union.
Russia first took part in the summit in 1996year. This year the meeting of the countries was held in Moscow. According to the unspoken rule, all summits are held annually in turn in each of the countries. The last summit, which was held in our country, was held in 2006 in St. Petersburg.
There is a certain periodization,characterizing the development of the association. The G-8 countries had very ambitious plans for the future in the economy in 1975-1980. Later (in the 80's), their interest in non-economic problems increased. The period from 1989-1994 ("Perestroika") was characterized by the solution of debt, trade problems. At the same time, the issues of the environment, drugs, and corruption become topical. And the last stage to date since 1995 is marked by the reform of international institutions.
Currently, the composition of the Group of EightExpands and will increase in the future. As the participating countries themselves say, the biggest economic forum for the future will be the G20 summit, where all world leaders will gather. This will allow building a new balanced economic system, reforming finance and raising the living standards of many developing countries.
The main topics that are usually addressedenergy crisis, international trade, unemployment, inflation, the oil crisis, the problem of refugees from the East, international terrorism, environmental protection, the economic crisis, relations between the countries of the West and the East, the globalization of the economy, etc.
At the beginning of the twenty-first century,the G8 hold their summits each year. At meetings, finance ministers, officials, the international press and other representatives of the world of economics and politics meet.
