G8 Is Dead
Dirk Kurbjuweit, Der Spiegel (translated) | July 14, 2009
As a global leadership forum presenting western norms and values, the G8 has failed. ++ The L'Aquila summit showed that emerging economies demand more say at the negotiating table. ++ Former ideals are losing ground to the principle of "common survival". ++ The focus on water-wastage and rising emission of CO2 rules out previous western core topics such as freedom, democracy and human rights. ++ The West must now prove that their core values are indispensable and a prerequisite for the successful handling of climate change.
