G20: Balancing Hopes and Reality for the Future of Globalization | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

G20: Balancing Hopes and Reality for the Future of Globalization

Now we entrust the great powers to set aside pettiness to prevent the global economy from collapsing.

10
G20: Balancing Hopes and Reality for the Future of Globalization

From the ashes of G7/G8 and the fire of the 2008 financial crisis arose the G20 forum (also known as the “Group of Twenty”), which promised a dramatic transformation of the summit by including emerging nations along with advanced powers. There’s optimism that the G20 will see the challenges and foundational flaws of the forum remedied. However, like a phoenix, the G20 may prove to be an exact copy of its previous incarnation.

The annual G20 summit on September 4-5 is being hosted in Hangzhou, China, a location that tells much about the changing dynamic of international politics—more on that later. As usual, the global economy is in turmoil due to local fiascos rippling into international disasters; it’s up to the G20 to coordinate policies for correcting the current issues. That issue this year is Brexit. The triumph of the leave vote came as a shock to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which wound up lowering the prediction for global growth in 2017 from 3.5% to 3.4%. This decrease in confidence was added in spite of a good euro area performance and growth in Russia’s and Brazil’s markets.

The ripples of Brexit are still being felt throughout the world. Brexit has not only hurt the European Union through the generation of business uncertainty, but it has also weakened growth prospects for other advanced economies such as Japan’s. The IMF also warned that “political divisions within advanced economies may hamper efforts to tackle long-standing structural challenges and the refugee problem” and that “a shift toward protectionist policies is a distinct threat.” Brexit represents the growing strength of anti-globalization movements across Europe and North America as populist leaders promise greater protection against the consequences of global trade.

Image linked from: news.markets

The emerging members of G20 haven’t had such qualms about globalization, given that “over the past 15 years globalisation has helped lift millions out of extreme poverty, particularly in Asia.” It remains within the interest of those emerging nations to coordinate a decisive course of action for the G20 forum, so that anti-globalization movements don’t threaten their fragile development. Although rising powers like Brazil and India are members of the G20, most expectations for a dramatic change in the status quo center around China.

China’s self-described agenda for the G20 summit is ambitious to say the least. Its foreign minister, Wang Yi, has listed ten goals that include “setting out guiding principles for global investment to creating a new global framework for anti-corruption, supporting industrialization in Africa, and promoting the early entry into force of the Paris Agreement on climate change.” China intends to reform the globalized economy, and it has precedents to back its ambitious goals. Chinese president Xi Jinping chose to host the G20 summit in Hangzhou, exactly because to him it “provides a model for national and global development in the information age.”

Image linked from: ui.sina.com

Still, even with the inclusion of these emerging powers, the G20 may fail to achieve its mission of sustaining global demand and countering anti-globalization. Lack of coordination in tangible policy implementation is the chief reason why. The members of the forum have struggled to agree upon what sort of macroeconomic tools (monetary policy, fiscal policy, structural reforms, etc.) to utilize. Geopolitics only complicate the discussions, since each power feels obligated to put their people’s interests before the international community’s. As a result, the past G20 summits have been dictated more by “deepening regional rivalries, clashing territorial ambitions, and (particularly in China and Russia) the fanning of nationalist sentiments” than by actual discourse on globalization.

It’s easy to be skeptical of the G20 and its ability to take decisive action on the challenges facing the global economy. However, the great powers aren’t inherently doomed to overlook the state of globalization for their petty politics—everyone involved has a high stake in the continuing growth of international trade. This fact rings especially true for the two biggest players—the United States and China. Precedents in climate change and financial stability have shown that “prior agreement between the United States and China is increasingly a precondition for major breakthroughs in international cooperation.” If there’s any duo that can decisively reform the global economy, it’s the two superpower rivals of the modern era.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

11 College Misconceptions Every Incoming Freshman Needs To Know

Think of everything that you've heard about college... and completely forget it.

2353
Helen Horton and friends
Helen Horton

College is a crazy, beautiful, amazing whirlwind. It is highly popularized in television and movies, but not necessarily in the most accurate way. Yes, there's frats, dingy dorms, raging house parties—but there's also a lot that people fail to mention.

1. If you thought that you knew how to study, you're wrong.

All of your classes aren't taught every day, so professors aren't on your case constantly about reading and memorizing material. Once you get back that "questionable" first exam grade, you'll kick it into high gear and figure out what works for you

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

18 Things Your Mom Does

Moms: the only reason voicemail still exists.

1684
woman in black turtleneck shirt smiling beside woman in black shirt

Your mom: you can't live with her, but you can't live without her. You love your mom, but she is insanely predictable. Here is a list of things your mom has probably done.

Keep Reading...Show less
Girl With Bleached Hair
Tumblr

I've been a bleach blonde for over a year now, and let me tell you, it is a lifestyle. More hair appointments, longer showers, and special shampoo. But it is totally worth it!

1. Mentally preparing yourself to convince your hair dresser that white is the way to go.

2. Or the anxiety of what could go wrong by bleaching your hair at home.

3. You could either become a ginger

4. Or a pixie

5. The face you make in the mirror when you take off your towel to unveil the perfect white strands.

6. Taking a million selfies the day you bleached it, because you know your roots will be back in literally 2 days.

7. Having to get bangs or a big chop because your hair is so damaged.

8. Having orange highlights in between touch-ups.

9. Going out for a drink afterwards to debut your updated look.

Despite the struggles, you love your platinum blonde hair! You make sure Instagram knows it, too. You don't need a filter, because the color is flawless by itself!

Entertainment

10 Things About Finals Week

As told by "Parks and Recreation" GIFs.

302
Parks and Recreation
The Playlist

Finals: just thinking about them gives you anxiety. Only two weeks separate you from summer, but they're the longest of the semester. There's a familiarity to this season, now that you have had so many testing cycles under your belt. But that doesn't quell the ever present stress to pass your finals and your classes. Even better, as a package deal during these wonderful weeks, you get to wake up early to study and you get to take exams that can begin anytime from 7 A.M. to 7 P.M. Now that we have established that this week is not fun, here are some super relatable moments that punctuate finals week.

Keep Reading...Show less
girl partying
HeyMIkeyATL

I've been at this college thing for almost three and a half years, and while I thought that high school was truly the lowest point of my existence, I'm beginning to realize that it was a walk in the park. Like, I miss the days when the biggest white lie I told my parents was my made up excuse about being late for fourth period. These days, the white lies are a tad more complex, and as ashamed as I am to admit it, I've definitely told a few of these.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments