Video Script: Who is the G8?

So imagine this [pause] youre sitting in history class and you hear about the cold war [pause] just
kidding. This is Canada, a wonderful place where in political terms were still Britains golden brat, and
the USAs polite little brother. So whenever there is a political movement that involves both the UK, and
the US, Canada tags along for the win! *sarcastically* Hooray! [Pause] These include some of the great
wars, WWI *whisper* Canada was still considered a British Colony and was made to send troops to
support the effort. Then there was WWII where we were allies to Britain and the USA, so off to war
again Not to mention the Afghanistan war, which was fought by the USA to impose the American
values of democracy in the Middle East. Guess who followed to do *emphasis* peace keeping efforts?
Thats right good ol Canada tagging along with big brother. Heh. So, what does this all mean? Today
there is a political group which is informal by the way called the G8. So who is this G8 and why do they
exist? I am glad you asked! [Pause] Sounds like its time for a *emphasis* *excitement* HISTORY
LESSON!

So, now were in 1975. The Cold War was the height of fashion. Not really, however it is important to
know that there was 6 non-communist countries. They were France, West-Germany [pause] because
that was a thing, The United Kingdom, the United States whats up with united being in everything?
Like it seems like to be great you need united. *in a different tone* who are you? *deep tone* oh I am
the leader of the United blah blah blah. *normal tone* Ugh seriously? Anyways getting off track. There
was also, Japan, and Italy. These countries formed a group called the G6, whose goals was to address
serious economic issues at the time. The two most prominent was the oil crisis in the 70s causing a
recession, and inflation. However, like most humans, eventually common gossip made the menu.
[Pause] *admittedly tone slightly sarcastic* I mean they started to discuss cold-war topics. Originally,
Canada was excluded for unclear reasons. The French President was really adamant about this. Like
super so. *authorative tone* ABSOLUTELY NO CANUCKS ALLOWED! [Pause] heh. Well, Canada didnt
want to be left out, after all we were a capable country, at the time we had a higher GNP than Italy, and
fairly good military and foreign aid assets. So, big brother helped inviting Canada to the 1976 summit
(which the US was holding). Admittedly, Japan wanted another non-European voice, and it seems that
the UK wanted Canada to go to. *excitedly* Way to go mom! Anyways, in short. Canada was really
capable back then and wasnt so much of a middle country as they had thought. Since this intervention
Canada has been a part of the G7.

SO there was the G7, a political group aimed at giving unscripted talk between countries huzaah!
While the group is informal, *between teeth and under breath* there are some criteria that generally
needs to be met. *normal tone* the first seems kind of redundant and obvious. *slightly excited, not
overly so* Not be communist (or a second world country). Ha! Then you need to be industrialized
enough to have your citizens meet western economic status, and have a western style democracy where
the people get the choice! So, after Russia (shocker I know) started to make progress towards
democracy, and being slowly integrated into the G7, they were allowed in *quote sarcastically* to
safeguard their democratic progress. *normal tone* especially since the cold war was now over.
*informative tone* so in 1998, the G7 became the G8 consisting of the original countries, France,
Germany, Italy, The UK, and the US. Which now included the newest two members, Canada and Russia.
*Informative no more sarcasm time to get serious* So, now that we have an understanding of who the
G8 is, and what their original goals were, we can discuss their implications on modern day politics.
Today, the goals of the G8 remain much the same. TO give these governments the opportunity to
discuss solutions on global issues such as inequality, economic growth, and global security among
others. While, they do give an opportunity for a community that can come up with unscripted solutions.
There is still a lot of criticisms towards the group.

No surprise there. With the G8 holding 50% of the global wealth, they are in fact a minority of people.
They are the top 50% which is a small amount of the global population accounting for 1% of
humanity.*shocked slightly annoyed* 1 teeny tiny percent. *normal tone* their actions effect a lot of
the world, some question if the like mindedness and the exclusion of growing economies such as China,
Brazil, Mexico and India is an outdated idealism in todays global markets. Some of these countries
actually surpass the G8 in economic Status. So these criticisms, are not founded in some weird fantasy
where people are just complaining, they actually hold some value. Question is, does money mean
Power? Should it mean power? Let me know what you think.

Thank you for watching! Hope to see you all back later bye!