do we democrats really believe in G8 summits?

[demoleft]

living in abruzzo italy, the G8 summit is the highlight of the week here.

people i talk to do not really care much. the dailies and the crisis, and a good dose of carelessness play a part.
i've been asking myself as a democrat if i really believe in the function of this club, as it is and as it might become, once enwidened to more members.

i believe that the global world needs governance. and i remind myself every time i buy a pair of running shoes at a reasonable price, and then i read "made in china", "made in indonesia" - and think how many young girls/children, rightless workers worked on them at low wages to give me, western man, the chance to buy at (relative) low costs.

when howard dean came in italy during the last congress of the Left Democrat Party (the strongest rib of the present Democratic Party) he talked of a new course for the world, of the need for a governance, of the responsibilites of the progressive governments to lead this path to future.
i believe it, and believe in obama's vision. as a european, i have trust.

but then i ask: who's leading this governance?

politically, the US and Russia maybe.
economically, China Russia and India maybe.
on the welfare systems, Europe and Japan maybe.

maybe, maybe, maybe.

am i just getting old and losing some faith?
hopefully no.

we'll see what comes out of this G8. these are not reasonable time, and we must be quick in decisions about the route.
the next months will make it clear, once and for all.

ciao DUers.