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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.
Second, the experiences of countries in transition lead us to question many assertions in the IPE
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
long-term economic growth. Finally, the rising powers are ineluctably posing challenges to
international institutions historically dominated by Europe, the United States, and Japan. This
shift in power will create new global tensions that could just as easily lead to a more dangerous
world as one based on cooperation and peaceful coexistence.
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
Russia and China cover different perspectives on what the goals of Russia and China are and
Key Terms
•
BRICS
•
glasnost
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•
perestroika
•
siloviki
•
oligarchs
•
national champions
•
Eurasian Economic Union (EEU)
•
emerging economies
•
Bolsa Família
•
bancada ruralista
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
United States from the point of view of each BRIC country. How have historical experiences
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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.
Sample Essay Questions
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.
5. How are China and India’s economic reform processes since the early 1990s different from
those of Russia and Brazil? Focus on differences between the ends and means of
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?
8. How do realists view China? For what reasons might China’s rise not be as threatening as
realists predict?
9. For what reasons do some scholars argue that a rising China is unlikely to threaten existing
international norms or the liberal world order?
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10. What do critics of China claim are major weaknesses in its economic system and social
policies?
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?
12. How do the interests of each BRICs country differ from those of the others? To what extent
is China actually an economic threat to the other BRICs rather than an international ally?
13. In what ways have the BRICs countries used state intervention to help economic
development? In which BRICs countries has state intervention been least effective, and why?
Sample Multiple-Choice Questions
1) Which of these statements about military spending by Russia, China, India and the United
States is incorrect?
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?
d) Democracy in India and Brazil gives their governments more legitimacy than in China
and Russia.
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5) Which of the following is closely associated with economic liberal policies?
d) They embrace free trade and foreign investment.
7) Which of the following is not identified as a characteristic of contemporary Russia?
a) authoritarianism
b) centralization of political power
c) demographic dividend*
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
9) Which of the following best characterizes China?
a) It has embraced economic liberalism.
10) Which scholars believe it will be a long time before China can close the gap with the United
d) Thomas Friedman and Helen Wang
11) Which statement about China’s Belt and Road Initiative is incorrect?
a) It involves building energy and transportation networks in Central Asia.
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12) Which of the following Chinese policies would a realist probably consider least threatening
to established Western powers?
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.
16) Which observation would an economic liberal most likely make about China and India?
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.
a) Brazil, Russia, India, China
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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Ollapally, Deepa M. “India and the International Order: Accommodation and Adjustment.”
Ethics & International Affairs 32:1 (Spring 2018): 61-74.
Sakwa, Richard. Frontline Ukraine: Crisis in the Borderlands. London: I. B. Taurus, 2015.
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,
2018.
The Argumentative Indian. Suman Ghosh, dir. 2017. Examines the life and ideas of Amartya
Sen.
The Coming War on China. John Pilger, dir. Dartmouth Films, 2016. “Filmed over two years
across five potential flashpoints in Asia and the Pacific, THE COMING WAR ON CHINA
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reveals the build-up to war on more than 400 US military bases that encircle China in a
‘perfect noose’” (Bullfrog Films website).
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.
Moscow’s Empire. 2017. LOOKS and Film & TV GmbH, producers. “The four-part
documentary Moscow’s Empire shows how the former Soviet nations faced an anarchic
decade marked by military conflicts and the search for new national identities and a new self-
awareness” (DW website). At
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLovlAKbQVz6C4OdA32tZmt1-KIIJqXefQ.
