ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book focuses on the work of those who explore the politics of macroeconomic co-ordination. It describes the question of where and when international policy co-ordination is appropriate and what the proper role of the G7/8 is in this process. The book argues that globalisation puts pressure on national governments to shape an efficient and sustainable policy mix that brings credibility in international capital markets. It addresses the growing view that global problems require global solutions and that it is thus global governance replete with sustainable development and social democracy, rather than national governance grounded in neoliberal fundamentals that is required. The book also argues that the current conventional wisdom about global governance in general and the concrete form of international economic policy co-ordination in most international fora, including the G7/8 Summits, must be subjected to scrutiny.
