INTERNATIONAL COUNTRY RANKINGS AS A SОCIOECONOMIC PHENOMENON AND A NEW INSTRUMENT OF GLOBAL GOVERNMENT SOFT POWER

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.