ABSTRACT

Based on regime theory and orchestration-intermediary theory on the interaction of international institutions, complemented with a revisionist realist perspective, this article proposes a theoretical model to examine the effectiveness of the G20 agenda. The theoretical model consists of weighing up a member state’s willingness and capacity to build a political coalition and technical support from relevant intermediary institutions on a G20 agenda, as well as the use of coercion or soft power pressure by the political coalition behind the agenda. Employing a case study approach, the article illustrates the theoretical process by examining (1) the Enhanced Structural Reform Agenda and (2) the green finance agenda at the G20 Hangzhou Summit of 2016. The article concludes that any real progress achieved on the G20 agenda in the post-crisis period requires the presence of all factors in the theoretical model and provides recommendations on improving the G20’s effectiveness based on the case studies.