G-8 (non-word post, beware)

When did the Group of Seven become the Group of Eight? And which country is the newly anointed Pooh-Bah?
I know I CLIU, and I tried, to no immediate avail. But maybe one of you has the answer at your fingertips.

I haven't LIU either, but did hear a news report that referred to "the world's seven wealthiest nations, and Russia...." I though it odd at the time; come to think of it, maybe I will go LIU!

Just googled "G-7 conference" and found a reference to the 1996 event. The nations listed were U.S., Britain, France, Canada, Italy, Germany and Japan. (I'd post the link but am basically computer-illiterate and don't know how to do it

). Googling G-8 produced references to the 1999 and 2000 conferences....so using my amazing powers of deduction

....it seems Russia was added in 1997 or 1998.

It's all very simple:

Since 1977 membership in the G7 has been fixed, although 15 developing countries' leaders met with the G7 leaders on the eve of the 1989 Paris Summit, and the USSR and then Russia have had a post-Summit dialogue with the G7 since 1991. Starting with the 1994 Naples Summit, the G7 and Russia have met as the P8 ("Political 8"), following each G7 Summit.
http://www.g7.utoronto.ca/g7/what_is_g7.html

I think 'political' in this case refers to countries with loads of dangerous weapons.

The G-7 still exists, as the post below explains. However, it usually deals with economics (the 7 nations ar the strongest and most powerful economically). The G-8 is the seven plus Russia (as others have mentioned), and it probably does have to do with the "dangerous weapons" theory.

http://www.rferl.org/nca/features/1998/05/F.RU.980512121951.html

Got it. Thanks, y'all. As a reporter in the 80s and early 90s I often would find myself covering one or another member of the 'lesser' group of 700 or so

who met (or tried to meet) while the G-7 was meeting. I have since escaped from that sort of stuff, and therefore haven't been keeping up, so I appreciate very much the updates and explanations!

<<it probably does have to do with the "dangerous weapons" theory>>

Agreed. But there is probably the added subtlety of the inclusion of Russia which, prior to 1989, had been excluded as a matter of policy. Lest anyone quip it was the USSR was excluded, the USSR was the empire and Russia the empirial power.

I think 'political' in this case refers to countries with loads of dangerous weapons.

Surely you cannot be referring to Canada. Our armed forces are currently known more for their peacekeeping duties than any aggressive tendencies or stashes of weapons. For heaven's sake, I've just learned that our biggest navel base is in Saskatchewan. (a little geography here...Saskatchewan is a province smack-dab in the middle of the whole country. No seas anywhere near there. Only oceans and oceans of wheat on flat flat land. They say that when a dog runs away in Saskatchewan you can see him running away for three days.)

So loads of dangerous weapons. Not here bucko.

> Not here bucko.

You might be surprised what one can't find on an American army base inside Canada, bel! I mean, Canada does have the biggest military regime the world has ever seen, with the most armaments ever seen, and the most aggressive international political stance right round the corner from it (no, not Cuba :-). Can't think of any other reason though. Guess as long as they sit quietly and don't annoy anyone then they're allowed to turn up ;-)

In reply to:
I think 'political' in this case refers to countries with loads of dangerous weapons.

I was under the impression that it was GDP, or GNP, that counted. I thought that the G7 were the countries ranked 1-7, and Russia was invited so that they didn't get miffed and could still play at being a power on the world stage.

I was under the impression that it was GDP, or GNP, that counted. I thought that the G7 were the countries ranked 1-7.

Well my 'lots of dangerous weapons' comment was more a guess rather than anything else. I'd be surprised if Canada were in the top 7 economies Vernon, but perhaps you're right. I tried to find some confirmation or refutation, but only came up with only this:

"G7: Group of the 7 most industrialized countries in the World"
http://www.pik-potsdam.de/dept/scoop/igbp/abk.htm

Where are AWAD's macroeconomists and/or international affairs specialists?

In reply to:
Well my 'lots of dangerous weapons' comment was more a guess rather than anything else

Mine was a guess, too. Surely there must be some economists here?