The Construction of a Mechanism for Coordinating Relations between the United States and New Great Powers： Perspectives from the G-7

    Abstract: Coordination between new great powers follows that by traditional powers in the use of diplomatic meetings, and policy formation through negotiations. Governance has expanded from a traditional focus on military security to economics, politics, society and the environment. From the vantage point of new great powers, as the most powerful state in the Western world, America plays a leadership role. Analysis of the governance structure of the G-7 shows that from the vantage point of new great powers, the most important institutional innovation is multi-state cooperation under U.S. leadership. The characteristics of this type of multi-state cooperation lead by one state are different from governance institutions which historically coordinated between traditional great powers, and represent a new type of international multi-lateral security governance mechanism. Because of the presence of such a leader, coordination between new great powers clearly offers efficient governance, including: common positions of great powers crafted by American will and leadership; collective responses of great powers to international crises; the recognition of America’s position on the part of other great powers; the assignment of governance tasks by the U.S. to other great powers.

    Author: Wang Lei is a Master Student in the School for International Studies at Nanjing University; Zheng Xianwu is an Associate Professor in the School for International Studies at Nanjing University