We Are Each Unique: Legitimation Practices of the G8 and G20

The paper asks for the various practices employed by international institutions to react to their growing need for legitimation. The core argument is that international institutions claim for a specific position within the global network of institutions to establish themselves as worthy to adhere to. Three modes of self-legitimation can be distinguished: legitimation policies, legitimation discourse and nonverbal self-presentations such as summit photographs. By focusing on two informal clubs rather than on formalized IOs, the analysis complements ongoing research on the self-legitimation of international institutions. By way of document and evaluation analysis and a reconstruction of ideal type photographs (1975-2013), it shows how both institutions today claim for a position as an inclusive and accountable manager for the benefit of all. Despite these similarities, the analysis reveals that the G8 is highlighting its “like-mindedness”, whereas the G20 is emphasizing its greater representativeness to appear as distinct and individually justified.