INTERNATIONAL COUNTRY RANKINGS AS A SOCIO-ECONOMIC PHENOMENON AND A NEW INSTRUMENT OF GLOBAL GOVERNMENT SOFT POWER
INTERNATIONAL COUNTRY RANKINGS AS A SOCIO-ECONOMIC PHENOMENON AND A NEW INSTRUMENT OF GLOBAL GOVERNMENT SOFT POWER

Summary/Abstract: One of the fundamental determinants of the last wave of the globalization process is the emergence and expansion of international country (economy) rankings. The popularity of these lists is increasing day by day. However, despite their widespread use, the existing body of scientific knowledge about this complex socioeconomic phenomenon is modest, at best. Since international country rankings represent a relatively new phenomenon and an “industry” characterized by explosive growth, the paper will present the basic theoretical foundations of the phenomenon, with particular emphasis on the economic dimension. The concept will be analyzed through the context of mechanisms that determine the appearance and functioning of global society today. It will also be noted that the international ranking lists which use the economic systems of countries as the basic unit of analysis, i.e. certain elements of the given system, are a suitable instrument for shaping an economic reality and development flows of a modern society in accordance with the goals of certain interest groups and centers of power. The findings that will be presented in this paper constitute a prerequisite and a starting point for extensive research on the issues of international country rankings, especially regarding the impact of this phenomenon on the economic sphere of society.

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