Arguments Against G8

by Hubbard, Gill; Miller, David

• ISBN13: 9780745324203
• ISBN10: 0745324207
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-03-20
• Publisher: Pluto Press

Summary

The G8 runs what South African president Thabo Mbeki and others describe as 'global apartheid'. ... He -- and everyone else -- should read this superb book, and then help abolish, not polish, the chains of global apartheid." Trevor Ngwane, Organising Secretary of the Anti-Privatisation Forum, Johannesburg "This book reminds us brilliantly that, far from ending poverty, today's political elites are the chief creators of human want, war and ecological disaster. The collective voice of the different contributors cuts through the propaganda of the pro-globalisation elites. ... If you care about our future, read this book." John McAllion, Oxfam Scotland "A clear and precise analysis of how the G8 operate and the perverse logic by which they make wealth for the few at the expense of the many." Francisco Ramirez Cuellar, President of the State Mining Corporation Workers Union, Colombia What is the G8? Every year world leaders convene for their annual summit, accompanied by thousands of protestors and anti-globalization activists. In Genoa in 2001, street battles between police and demonstrators made world headlines, as one protestor was shot. This book is a one-stop guide for anyone who wants to know more about the G8, what it is, and why it's a problem. Leading writers and activists including Noam Chomsky, George Monbiot, Susan George, Mark Curtis and Caroline Lucas explain in brief, succinct chapters, what is wrong with the G8 neo-liberal agenda and propose alternatives. Chapters cover G8 attitudes to the key issues: war, corporate power, climate change, immigration, trade, debt, food. Ideal for anyone who is troubled by the current direction set by our world leaders, this book is also a great tool for activists.

Author Biography

David Miller is Professor of Sociology at Strathclyde University. He is the editor of the highly successful Tell Me Lies: Propaganda and Media Distortion in the Attack on Iraq, published by Pluto Press in November 2003 and now in its third printing.
Gill Hubbard is convenor of Globalise Resistance Scotland.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements	vii
Abbreviations	ix
About this book	xi
Introduction: Barbarism Inc.	1	(16)
Gill Hubbard
David Miller
Section One Concentrated Power	17	(86)
Globalization and war	19	(25)
Noam Chomsky
Britain and the G8: a champion of the world's poor?	44	(13)
Mark Curtis
Democracy	57	(11)
Colin Leys
War	68	(10)
Lindsey German
Corporate power	78	(12)
Olivier Hoedeman
The Gang of 8: the good governance roadshow	90	(13)
Emma Miller
Section Two Issues	103	(130)
Climate change	105	(7)
George Monbiot
Trade	112	(12)
Susan George
Food security	124	(14)
Caroline Lucas
Michael Woodin
`War on terror' on racism, asylum and immigration	138	(13)
Salma Yaqoob
Privatization and workers' rights: but neo-liberals are such nice people ...	151	(12)
Bob Crow
Poverty	163	(4)
Tommy Sheridan
Debt: the debt crisis and the campaign to end it	167	(15)
Vicki Clayton
Health and HIV/AIDS: fine words and fatal indifference	182	(16)
Ronald Labonte
Ted Schrecker
David McCoy
Genoa 2001: which side to be on?	198	(10)
Haidi Giuliani
Where do we go from here?	208	(12)
Sam Ashman
Conclusion Naming the problem	220	(13)
David Miller
Gill Hubbard
Contributors	233	(4)
Index	237