ABSTRACT
This chapter concentrates on the more recent summits, from 1988 onwards, classified into the fourth, fifth and sixth summit series. It argues that the leaders at the summit need not focus so much on government action, as hitherto, but should look wider. In future the summits ought to involve the private sector more and use the new communications technologies to make the case for the benefits of globalisation. The record of summitry up to 1986, as examined in Hanging Together, suggested that American leadership was a necessary, though not sufficient condition for cooperation at the summits. The 12 summits from 1988 onwards show a different pattern, moving away from the condition of 'subjective' American hegemony to more genuine collection management. During this period cooperation was certainly stimulated by American initiative. The Birmingham summit was the first to be consecrated wholly to the fears and anxieties generated by globalisation.
