| − | The '''G8''' is an informal group of eight major industrialized countries: the [[United States]], [[Canada]], [[Japan]], [[Britain]], [[France]], [[Germany]], and [[Italy]] (plus the [[EU]] who has observer status), and since 1998 [[Russia]]. The G8 heads of state have met annually since 1976 in summit meetings to discuss economic and political issues. | + | The '''G8''' is an informal group of eight major industrialized countries: the [[United States]], [[Canada]], [[Japan]], [[Britain]], [[France]], [[Germany]], and [[Italy]] (plus the [[EU]] who has observer status), and between 1998 and 2014 [[Russia]]. The G8 heads of state have met annually since 1976 in summit meetings to discuss economic and political issues. |
| | Since the summits are of the highest profile with leaders from nations that control some 65% of international wealth, the [[left]] and other radical groups demonstrate to attempt to disrupt the meetings and bring attention to their causes. | | Since the summits are of the highest profile with leaders from nations that control some 65% of international wealth, the [[left]] and other radical groups demonstrate to attempt to disrupt the meetings and bring attention to their causes. |