Networks of Influence? Developing Countries in a Networked Global Order

edited by Leonardo Martinez-Diaz and Ngaire Woods, Oxford University Press, 2009

This edited volume resulted from a five-year research project which examined the role of developing countries in the proliferation of government networks, and the implications for these countries of the shift to a networked world order. Identifying the two critical conditions under which government networks can enhance developing country influence in international relations, the book also highlights the characteristics of effective networks and the key challenges states face in building them.

Contents: Leonardo Martinez-Diaz and Ngaire Woods: Introduction: Developing Countries in a Networked Global Order – Vanessa Rubio-Marquez: The G20: A Practitioner’s Perspective – Leonardo Martinez-Diaz: The G20 After Eight Years: How Effective a Vehicle for Developing-Country Influence? — Helen E S Nesadurai: Finance Ministers and Central Bankers in East Asian Financial Cooperation – Jochen Prantl: Voice for the Weak: ECOSOC ad hoc Advisory Groups on African Countries Emerging from Conflict – Myles Wickstead, A Commentary by Sir Nicholas Bayne: The Commission for Africa: A View through the Prism of Networks – Khadija Bah: Africa’s G4 Network – Matthew Martin, Commentary by Gerald Helleiner: The Heavily Indebted Poor Countries’ Finance Ministers Network –Alex Matheson, with contributions from Mickie Schoch and Dirk-Jan Kraan: Networking of Senior Budget Officials – Kenneth G. Coates, Commentary by Richard Webb: The Centre for Latin American Monetary Studies and its Central Bankers’ Networks – Leonardo Martinez-Diaz and Ngaire Woods: Conclusion: Networks of Influence?

The G20: the perils and opportunities of network governance for developing countries by Leonardo Martinez-Diaz and Ngaire Woods

What impact will the G20 Leaders’ group have on global governance? In this briefing we draw lessons from our research into eight other networks to examine the likely impact on emerging and developing countries in particular.  Our research and case studies, published in Networks of Influence: Developing Countries in a Networked Global Order (Oxford University Press, 2009), examine how other inter-governmental networks have functioned, what roles they play best, and under what conditions they have strengthened developing country participation in global governance.