Since November 2008, the G20 appears to have consolidated its position as the hub of economic governance. Moving from its initial role as an improvised "crisis buster," the forum has begun to take shape as a global "steering committee." Yet from its origins, the G20 has suffered from some deficiencies concerning its size and geographic make-up. Given the scope of the G20’s ambition, refining the structure so that it combines a core membership with some degree of accessibility will only enhance its credibility.

The global order is shifting in an unprecedented fashion. No major war has intervened to reshape the balance of power; nor has the world seen events as dramatic as the collapse of communism and the end of bipolarity in 1989. Rising States, Rising Institutions, co-edited by CIGI senior fellow Alan S. Alexandroff and CIGI distinguished fellow Andrew F. Cooper, examines the forces reshaping world politics and analyzes the institutions that are rising to meet the demand for new forms of global governance.

Foreign Affairs and Americas Quarterly recently reviewed Which Way Latin America, edited by CIGI Distinguished Fellows Andrew F. Cooper and Jorge Heine. The book provides up-to-date analysis of the new sources of political power and allegiances in Latin America today.

Researchers and scholars worldwide have turned their attention to the global economic crisis. National Perspectives on Global Leadership (NPGL), a joint project by the Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI) and the Brookings Institution, is an innovative project that focuses on a central question: To what extent are the G8 and G20 summits seen by national publics in G20 countries as serving their interests and meeting their expectations that leaders will take responsibility for global economic stewardship?