14.4 Emerging Powers and Their Political Systems
3 min read•july 30, 2024
Emerging powers like Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa have seen rapid economic growth and increased global influence. Their political systems often blend democratic and authoritarian elements, facing challenges like corruption, inequality, and weak rule of law.
These nations grapple with identity politics, security forces' roles, and balancing reform with stability. Economic growth drives political change, but uneven gains can fuel discontent. Globalization has integrated emerging powers into the world economy, increasing their influence but also exposing vulnerabilities.
Political Systems in Emerging Powers
Hybrid Systems and Challenges
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- Emerging powers are countries that have experienced rapid economic growth and increased political influence on the global stage in recent decades (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa)
- Many emerging powers have hybrid political systems that combine elements of democracy and
- Competitive elections alongside restrictions on civil liberties and political opposition
- Emerging powers often face challenges that undermine the stability and legitimacy of their political institutions
- Corruption
- Inequality
- Weak rule of law
Identity Politics and Security Forces
- Identity politics can exacerbate political tensions and complicate governance in diverse emerging powers
- Ethnic divisions
- Religious divisions
- Regional divisions
- The role of the military and security forces in politics varies across emerging powers
- Explicit military rule (Thailand)
- More subtle forms of influence and intervention (Pakistan)
- Emerging powers must balance demands for political reform and participation with concerns about social stability and regime survival
Economic Growth and Political Development
Economic Drivers of Political Change
- Economic growth has been a key driver of rising incomes, expanding middle classes, and increased social mobility in many emerging countries
- The developmental state model has been influential in some countries
- Government actively promotes economic growth and industrialization (China, South Korea)
- Economic success can bolster the legitimacy and popularity of ruling parties or leaders
- Chinese Communist Party's emphasis on growth and stability
Economic Challenges and Political Instability
- Uneven distribution of economic gains can fuel political discontent and demands for greater inclusion and representation
- Brazil's protests against inequality and corruption
- Economic downturns or crises can expose underlying political weaknesses and trigger social unrest or regime change
- Russia's post-Soviet transition
- Venezuela's economic collapse and political crisis
Globalization's Impact on Emerging Powers
Integration and Influence
- Globalization has facilitated the integration of emerging powers into the world economy
- Trade
- Investment
- Participation in international institutions
- Emerging powers have used their growing economic clout to assert greater political influence
- In their regions and on the global stage
- Through forums like and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank
Constraints and Backlash
- Exposure to global markets and capital flows can constrain the policy autonomy of emerging powers and make them vulnerable to external shocks
- 1997 Asian financial crisis
- 2008 global financial crisis
- The rise of emerging powers has challenged the dominance of Western countries in
- Calls for reforms to institutions like the United Nations Security Council and the International Monetary Fund
- Backlash against globalization in some emerging powers reflects tensions between international integration and domestic politics
- India's Hindu nationalism
- Brazil's protectionist policies
Political Trajectories of Emerging Powers
China and India
- China has maintained a one-party state under the Chinese Communist Party while pursuing market-oriented economic reforms
- Rapid growth but limited political liberalization
- India, the world's largest democracy, has experienced economic liberalization and the rise of Hindu nationalism under the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
- Persistent challenges of poverty and inequality
Russia and Brazil
- Russia has transitioned from communist rule to a centralized, authoritarian system under President Vladimir Putin
- State-dominated economy dependent on energy exports
- Brazil emerged from military dictatorship to a vibrant multi-party democracy
- Faced , corruption scandals, and economic crisis in recent years
South Africa and Turkey
- South Africa's post-apartheid transition to majority rule has been accompanied by the dominance of the African National Congress (ANC)
- Challenges of inequality, crime, and corruption
- Turkey has seen the rise of Islamist politics under the Justice and Development Party (AKP) and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan
- Increasing authoritarianism and tensions with the secular military
Key Terms to Review (18)
African Union: The African Union (AU) is a continental union consisting of 55 African countries, formed in 2001 to promote unity, peace, and development across the continent. It focuses on fostering cooperation among member states in areas like political stability, economic integration, and social progress while addressing issues such as conflict resolution, human rights, and health crises.
Authoritarianism: Authoritarianism is a political system characterized by the concentration of power in a single authority or a small group, where individual freedoms are often restricted, and political pluralism is limited. This system stands in contrast to democratic governance, impacting how states operate and interact with their citizens and the international community.
BRICS: BRICS is an acronym that refers to a group of five major emerging economies: Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. This coalition aims to promote peace, security, and development among its members and plays a significant role in global political and economic dynamics, particularly in the context of emerging powers and their political systems.
Diplomatic engagement: Diplomatic engagement refers to the process of dialogue and interaction between states, aimed at fostering mutual understanding, cooperation, and conflict resolution. This practice is particularly important for emerging powers as they navigate their roles on the global stage, establishing relationships that can enhance their influence and secure their interests.
Emerging market economies: Emerging market economies are nations with social or business activity in the process of rapid growth and industrialization. These economies are characterized by their increasing integration into the global economy, improving infrastructures, and expanding middle classes. They often experience high rates of economic growth, which can attract foreign investment but may also face challenges like political instability and economic volatility.
Foreign direct investment: Foreign direct investment (FDI) refers to the investment made by a company or individual in one country in business interests in another country, typically through acquiring assets or establishing business operations. This type of investment is significant as it reflects economic globalization and the interconnectedness of national economies, often driving development and modernization efforts in emerging markets while influencing political-economic systems worldwide.
G20: The G20, or Group of Twenty, is an international forum that brings together the world's major economies to discuss and coordinate economic policy. It consists of 19 countries and the European Union, representing around 85% of global GDP and two-thirds of the world's population. The G20 plays a crucial role in global governance and addresses key issues such as economic stability, trade, climate change, and sustainable development, reflecting the increasing influence of emerging powers in the global political landscape.
Geopolitical competition: Geopolitical competition refers to the rivalry between nations and regions over influence, power, and resources on a global scale. This competition often shapes international relations, impacting trade, security, and political alliances. Emerging powers play a crucial role in this dynamic, as they seek to assert their presence and interests in a rapidly changing global landscape.
Global governance: Global governance refers to the way international affairs are managed across countries through cooperation and collaboration among states, international organizations, and other non-state actors. It involves frameworks of rules, institutions, and processes that guide collective decision-making and address global challenges such as security, economic stability, and environmental sustainability. This concept plays a crucial role in understanding how nations interact in an increasingly interconnected world.
Hybrid Regimes: Hybrid regimes are political systems that combine elements of democracy and authoritarianism, resulting in a unique blend where certain democratic processes exist alongside significant restrictions on civil liberties and political freedoms. These regimes often maintain a façade of democratic institutions, such as elections, while undermining their effectiveness through manipulation and repression, making them distinct from both full democracies and traditional authoritarian regimes.
Multipolarity: Multipolarity refers to a global power structure in which multiple countries or centers of power hold significant influence and authority, as opposed to a unipolar or bipolar system. This condition encourages greater competition and cooperation among states, affecting international relations and economic dynamics. In a multipolar world, emerging powers play a crucial role in shaping global policies and systems, leading to a more complex and interconnected international landscape.
Narendra Modi: Narendra Modi is the current Prime Minister of India, having taken office in May 2014. He is a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a Hindu nationalist organization. Modi's leadership has brought significant political and economic changes to India, making him a pivotal figure in discussions about emerging powers and their political systems.
Political Instability: Political instability refers to the susceptibility of a political system to sudden changes, disruptions, or breakdowns in governance, which can manifest through violence, protests, regime changes, or ineffective governance. This condition often undermines the legitimacy of political institutions and can lead to conflicts that affect a nation's development and security. Political instability is closely tied to factors like economic challenges, social divisions, and the quality of governance, making it a critical issue in many countries.
Regional Integration: Regional integration is the process by which neighboring countries in a geographic region cooperate to enhance economic, political, and social ties, often resulting in agreements that facilitate trade, promote peace, and encourage cultural exchange. This collaboration can take various forms, such as trade agreements, political unions, or shared regulatory standards, and it significantly impacts the sovereignty and legitimacy of individual states while shaping the dynamics of emerging powers in the global arena.
Resource management: Resource management refers to the efficient and effective allocation, use, and conservation of various resources, including natural, human, and financial resources, to achieve desired goals. This concept is critical in understanding how emerging powers navigate their political systems and economic challenges, as they strive to balance growth and sustainability while addressing the needs of their populations.
Shanghai Cooperation Organization: The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is a Eurasian political, economic, and security alliance founded in 2001, primarily focused on promoting cooperation among its member states in various fields, including security, trade, and cultural exchange. The organization emphasizes mutual trust, regional stability, and counterterrorism efforts among its members, which include several emerging powers in Asia, thus highlighting the shift in global power dynamics.
Soft power: Soft power is the ability of a country to influence others through attraction and persuasion rather than coercion or force. It involves using cultural, ideological, and diplomatic means to shape preferences and behaviors of other nations. In the context of emerging powers, soft power can be crucial as these nations seek to enhance their global standing and influence without relying solely on military might.
Xi Jinping: Xi Jinping is the General Secretary of the Communist Party of China and the President of the People's Republic of China, holding power since 2012. Under his leadership, China has experienced significant changes in its political landscape, marked by a shift towards stronger centralized control and assertive foreign policy.