ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the role and impact of civil society in increasing the accountability of the Group of Seven (G7), Group of Eight (G8), and Group of 20 (G20). It first clarifies the key concepts of civil society and accountability, then discusses for what and to whom the G7/8 and the G20, as global governance institutions, are accountable, and, third, looks at the kinds of civil society organizations (CSOs) that play a role in the nexus between the G7/8 and G20. Fourth, it considers the motivations for, and range of, civil society interaction with the G7/8 and G20. Finally, it analyses how and to what extent civil society engagement has had an impact on G7/8 and G20 accountability. The chapter argues that the G7/8 and G20 have increasingly recognized the crucial role of accountability in gauging progress and building legitimacy. G20 accountability to financial markets is clearer than in the case of the G7/8.
