Power shifts happened several times throughout history but they do not occur frequently and
are often connected with the use of force. Presently there is a power shift from the western
industrialized states e.g. from member states of the European Union (EU) to Asian states in
particular China. However in spite of this growth it is disputed to what extent the rise of
these economies already transcended into power and how it will develop in the future. What is
clear by now is that the recent global financial and economic crisis was the worst one in post
World War II history. The crisis emerged in the United States and then spread to the EU and to
other countries. It led to quickly rising public debt levels in western industrialized states.
During this time states like China or India extended their participation within global
economic governance foras such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) or the G20. This
raises the question of how the power of the European Union within these international
institutions was affected by the crisis? The purpose of this publication is to research this
question. Consequently the examination is situated within the domain of the global financial
and economic crisis the shift of power and the power of the EU in international institutions.
In order to give an answer to the above stated question the power shift in international
institutions during the time of crisis is to be assessed. The IMF and the G20 are analyzed in
depth in order to shed light on the topic. The results then help to identify the trend of EU
power.
