The New, Improved G-20

After further reflection, I’m reducing the differences between my suggested G-20 and the current membership list. I would remove the European Union as a voting member, and make it ex-offico as the IMF, the World Bank and others are already. I would then reduce the current G-20 membership of EU nations Germany, Great Britain, France, and Italy from 4 to 3, letting the four sort out who occupies the three seats, presumably with some sort of rotation. I would still remove Saudi Arabia and Australia (how could you take Italy off and leave Australia on?). The G-20 could then add Iran, Pakistan, Nigeria, and Thailand, with the understanding that membership is subject to change, based upon population and economic clout.

Counting the three EU members as representing the entire EU, the new G-20 [statistics here--hit on chart] would represent 6% more of the world’s people—for a total of 72%, nearly three-quarters of the planet—and 1% more of world wealth (83% total). As an even more representative group, it would have an even better chance of acting on behalf of the entire earth. That’s something the UN is increasingly unable to do. The case for international cooperation is especially strong in the economic area, so the G-20 can become the forum where the world works out a global path to prosperity.

Below, the “new, improved” G-20:


Ex-offico: EU Council presidency and the European Central Bank, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the President of the World Bank, plus chairs of the International Monetary and Financial Committee and Development Committee of the IMF and World Bank.

Representation by continent (exceeds 20 because of overlap): Europe (5), East Asia (3), North America (3), Latin America (3), Middle East (3), Africa (2), South Asia (2), Southeast Asia ( 2).

* = Not on “new, improved UN Security Council.” (See next item.)