Arguments Against G8

by Hubbard, Gill; Miller, David

• ISBN13: 9780745324210
• ISBN10: 0745324215
• Format: Hardcover
• 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

Abbreviations	ix
About this book	xi
Introduction: Barbarism Inc.	1	(16)
Gill Hubbard and David Miller
Section One Concentrated Power	17	(86)
Chapter 1 Globalization and war	19	(25)
Noam Chomsky
Chapter 2 Britain and the G8: a champion of the world's poor?	44	(13)
Mark Curtis
Chapter 3 Democracy	57	(11)
Colin Leys
Chapter 4 War	68	(10)
Lindsey German
Chapter 5 Corporate power	78	(12)
Olivier Hoedeman
Chapter 6 The Gang of 8: the good governance roadshow	90	(13)
Emma Miller
Section Two Issues	103	(117)
Chapter 7 Climate change	105	(7)
George Monbiot
Chapter 8 Trade	112	(12)
Susan George
Chapter 9 Food security	124	(14)
Caroline Lucas and Michael Woodin
Chapter 10 'War on terror' on racism, asylum and immigration	138	(13)
Salma Yaqoob
Chapter 11 Privatization and workers' rights: but neo-liberals are such nice people	151	(12)
Bob Crow
Chapter 12 Poverty	163	(4)
Tommy Sheridan
Chapter 13 Debt: the debt crisis and the campaign to end it	167	(15)
Vicki Clayton
Chapter 14 Health and HIV/AIDS: fine words and fatal indifference	182	(16)
Ronald Labonte, Ted Schrecker and David McCoy
Chapter 15 Genoa 2001: which side to be on?	198	(10)
Haidi Giuliani
Chapter 16 Where do we go from here?	208	(12)
Sam Ashman
Conclusion Naming the problem	220	(13)
David Miller and Gill Hubbard
Contributors	233	(4)
Index	237