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CHAPTER 13
MOVING INTO POSITION: THE RISING POWERS
Overview
This chapter examines the problems of states, markets, and societies in transition from one
system of political economy to another. The goal of this chapter is to explore the nature of the
transitions from communist/socialist or state-dominated economies to more market-based
economies integrated into the global capitalist system. Most attention is given to Brazil, Russia,
India, and China—making this a complete BRIC chapter.
More specifically, we present a number of important theses about the rising powers. First, there
is not a single path toward market-oriented economies. The different trajectories reflect
variations in countries’ historical background, size, political system, and policy decisions.
Third, in most countries transition has been a painful and chaotic process that has, at least in the
short run, destroyed valuable social institutions and undermined social stability in pursuit of
Each of the sections in this chapter contrast strengths and weaknesses in the economic trajectory
of each country, and we highlight key socio-political tensions in each country. Instructors will
find this chapter useful for making comparisons between emerging powers. The section on
Key Terms
•
BRICS
•
glasnost
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•
perestroika
•
siloviki
•
oligarchs
•
reprimarization
•
Operação Lava Jato (Operation Car Wash)
•
Green Revolution
•
demographic dividend
Teaching Tips
• Students are likely to have much more familiarity with China than India, Brazil, or Russia.
We recommend showing students the countries (and their various regions) on a map. It would
also help to briefly mention the current top leaders of each country.
• This is a good chapter to use to highlight how Balaam and Dillman use different levels of
analysis. For example, at the individual level they discuss motives and actions of Xi, Putin,
Lula, and Modi. At the state/societal level they note: pressures coming from China’s growing
• Take advantage of opportunities in this chapter to highlight constructivist analysis. Instructors
could discuss, among other things: the BRICS alliance’s “artificiality”; the “China Dream”;
and Chinese and Russian grievances and self-identities.
• Instructors may want to ask students about their basic perceptions of each of the BRIC
countries. Also encourage students to try to “see” the international system and particularly the
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• It is interesting is to ask students whether it is possible to have democracy without capitalism
and capitalism without democracy. The question of whether market socialism can solve the
problems of capitalism and classical socialism provides an interesting avenue for discussion.
1. Compare and contrast the economic and political reforms in Russia and China. Are there any
general lessons to be derived from this experience? Explain.
2. Explain several of the key weaknesses or vulnerabilities in the economies of Brazil, Russia,
India, and China.
6. Compare and contrast the economic and political reforms in Russia and China. Are there any
general lessons to be derived from their experiences? Explain.
7. In what ways could it be argued that the rise of China poses threats to the liberal world order?
Are these fears well-founded or not? Do you believe that the United States will likely remain
a prosperous, dominant superpower in the future, especially given the challenges from China
and Russia? Why or why not?
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11. What kinds of evidence do economic liberals point to in support of their argument that the
rise of China is economically good for the rest of the world?
Sample Multiple-Choice Questions
1) Which of these statements about military spending by Russia, China, India and the United
States is incorrect?
a) In 2016 U.S. military spending was approximately three times higher than China’s.
2) Which of the following statements best characterizes the experience of economic and
political reforms in China since the late 1980s?
3) Which of the following statements best about Brazil is incorrect?
4) Which of the following statements would a structuralist probably agree with?
a) In its singular pursuit of industrialization, the Chinese Communist Party has disregarded
5) Which of the following is closely associated with economic liberal policies?
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a) Promotion of national champions
6) Which statement applies to all four countries: Russia, Brazil, India, and China?
d) They embrace free trade and foreign investment.
7) Which of the following is not identified as a characteristic of contemporary Russia?
d) important role of the siloviki in politics
8) Which characterizes India more than China?
d) sustained high growth rates for the last 25 years
d) The CCP has significantly reduced control over the media and related technology.
10) Which scholars believe it will be a long time before China can close the gap with the United
States in military and economic capabilities?
d) Thomas Friedman and Helen Wang
11) Which statement about China’s Belt and Road Initiative is incorrect?
12) Which of the following Chinese policies would a realist probably consider least threatening
to established Western powers?
a) China’s policy in the South China Sea
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d) a significant role for state planning in the economy
14) The 2016 policy implemented by Indian Prime Minister Modi which was justified as a means
to tackle corruption and tax evasion is called
a) Operation Car Wash.
15) Which of the following is the most apt description of India in terms of its relationship to the
global economy?
a) It is deeply integrated into the Belt and Road Initiative.
d) One of them—but not both—can emerge as a major political-military player in the world.
17) Place in order the countries most closely associated with these respective things: Operation
Car Wash, Belt and Road Initiative, Green Revolution, Eurasian Economic Union.
Suggested Readings and Links
Ayres, Alyssa. Our Time Has Come: How India Is Making Its Place in the World. New York:
Oxford University Press, 2018.
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Crabtree, James. The Billionaire Raj: A Journey Through India’s New Gilded Age. New York:
Tim Duggan Books, 2018.
De Graaff, Naná, and Bastiaan Van Apeldoorn. “US-China Relations and the Liberal World
Order: Contending Elites, Colliding Visions?” International Affairs 94:1 (January 2018):
113-131.
Scobell, Andrew. “The South China Sea and U.S.-China Rivalry.” Political Science Quarterly
133:2 (Summer 2018): 199-224.
Tang, Shiping. “China and the Future International Order(s).” Ethics & International Affairs
32:1 (Spring 2018): 31-43.
Audiovisual Resources
America's Greatest Threat: Vladimir Putin. Rudy Bednar, dir. A&E Television Networks,
China: The New World Power. Josef Dollinger, dir. Broadcast by Deutsche Welle, 2018. At
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67yre0HYWcQ.
China’s New Silk Road. Laurent Bouit, dir. Arte France and Morgan Production, 2017.
Broadcast by Deutsche Welle.
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Grazing the Amazon. Marcio Isensee e Sá, dir. ((O)) eco and Imazon, 2017. Examines how
deforestation in the Amazon is tied to the expansion of Brazilian cattle ranching.
