G8 Struggles for Relevance The world's most powerful countries assess their dwindling influence

The first meeting of the Group of Eight (G8) countries,then the G7,was convened by French President Valéry Giscard d'Estaing,in the 1970s.Four decades on,the world has changed massively.But the return of the G8 to the coast of northem France under the presidency of France is a moment to think about the function and future of the G8 in a world where more work is done via the G20 or other forums.     

Climbing the Greasy Pole: Promotion in British Politics

This article addresses the subject of ministerial promotion and is based on memoirs and interviews. It seeks to discern the essential qualities which motivate political ambition; for example extremes of energy, confidence, optimism and family support. The talent pool for office is held to be worryingly shallow though allowing wider access, via the Lords, has not so far proved a huge success. Deciding upon appointments is also analysed as is the means politicians use to advertise their suitability for office. It concludes that, natural ability notwithstanding, luck and courage are often the chief attributes of success.     

A Poor Model

In the midst of an international power shift, Asian nations must find their own way The eighth Asia Europe Meeting(ASEM) took place in Brussels on October 4-5. Leaders from all 27 EU member states,     

Mini‐lateralism Will Get Us Nowhere

The further we get from the crisis moment of the global financial meltdown in 2008–2009, the weaker the momentum to establish an effective system of global governance. Gordon Brown, the former prime minister of Great Britain who hosted the most successful G‐20 conclave in London at the apex of the crisis, laments the complacency that has taken over. With the scandalous departure of Dominique Strauss‐Kahn as head of the International Monetary Fund, a global debate has opened up over whether the emerging economies should have a greater voice in that institution. Nobel laureate Michael Spence comments.     

Embracing a New World

As Europe readies for deep financial cuts,the international community must also prepare People have been talking in Europe of an age of austerity since the end of 2008.The expectation of large cuts to government spending has been wide-spread. The question was just when the cuts would     

序言：中国大陆和香港的合作治理

摘要: 本专刊就中国大陆和香港在各自公共领域内的合作治理实践进行了探讨，该研究涉及一系列不同的服务领域，包括地方社区服务、灾害保险、社会服务和可持续发展。已有的研究显示合作治理可以是施加的、诱致的或者有机创造的。本专刊收录的四篇文章表明，所有三种动态都存在于中国提供以上服务的合作实践中。在本序言中，我们首先总结入选的四篇文章在理解中国大陆和香港的合作治理在实践上的贡献。在此基础上，我们提出在中国进行合作治理研究的重要取向和领域。序言最后探讨了研究中国的合作治理所面临的挑战和解决之道。     

Stepping Up

正Chinese vice premier's EU visit focuses on strengthening economic ties with the region Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang's first formal visit to Europe was accompanied