Second, it is not entirely clear that these countries want to join this club at this particular time. Joining the G8 indicates a willingness to shoulder responsibility for the world's problems. China and India will not join alone; they are paranoid about being ganged-up on in a rich man's club.

Expanding the G8 even more risks paralysis. In theory, a concert of great powers can still foster cooperation. In practice, as the number of powerful actors increases, the likelihood of meaningful cooperation declines. The unending Doha round is obvious evidence of this. One reason the Doha round of world trade talks has stalled out is that the number of countries with "veto power" has increased.

Caviar, smoked salmon and sea urchin will be consumed as the eight leaders chat about the food crisis. Teeth will be gnashed about the warming climate. Some bland communiqués will be issued. But not much else will happen at Toyako. At this rate, the leaders might become nostalgic about the good old days when these summits caused exchange rates to tremble. To paraphrase Henry Kissinger, the only thing worse than people protesting a summit is people deciding not to care.

© 2008