In this article, we take a look at the 5 most politically influential countries in the world. If you want to check out our detailed analysis of how political influence shapes the global economy, go directly to 25 Most Politically Influential Countries in the World.
5. France
Political-Influence Score: 77.93
France is one of the two nuclear powers in Western Europe. It is also a permanent UN-Security-Council member with veto power. Other than that, the country is both a NATO and EU member. France has a strong resume when it comes to political influence.
4. United Kingdom
Political-Influence Score: 79.88
The United Kingdom is one of the most politically influential countries in the world, given its history, heritage and modern economic, social and military status.
It is a permanent member of the UN Security Council with veto power and also an influential member of NATO. Additionally, it is one of the nine countries with nuclear military power. Its two aircraft carriers also allow it to project power, though in a limited way, around the world. All these factors make the UK an important stakeholder in geopolitics.
3. Germany
Political-Influence Score: 80.15
Germany is the richest economy in Europe and the country is the most influential member of the EU. The Economist calls the country the political and economic leader of the European Union, with its influence ubiquitous on the union.
2. China
Political-Influence Score: 81.29
China is the second biggest economy in the world and is projected to surpass the US economy by 2030. It is also a permanent member of the UN Security Council with veto power. These factors have led to China naturally flexing its political muscle around the world and especially in the region.
China’s navy regularly patrols the South China Sea and the country has laid claim to several Spratly islands, which has led to antagonization of the US.
China has also been building its political capital in countries like Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Nigeria through development of infrastructure and other investments. However, on that front, it has been accused of debt-trap diplomacy.
A study conducted by the International Monetary Fund, a global lender, shows that between 2013-2016, China’s contribution in loans to heavily indebted poverty-stricken countries doubled from 6% to 12%. On top of that, Foreign Policy has called China’s lending opaque with regard to terms and conditions.
Some of the consequences for countries that have been unable to repay their debt have been China taking over their strategically important assets. For instance, it has taken Sri Lanka’s Hambantota Port for a lease of 99 years after its debt-cancelation.
1. United States
Political-Influence Score: 84.61
The United States is overwhelmingly the most politically influential country in the world. There are several reasons for this. It is the world’s foremost military power, the biggest economy and the most culturally influential country in the world.
It is the nuclear-armed leader of NATO and is also a permanent member of the UN Security Council. It is the only country with the real capability to project military power across the entire world, thanks to its fleet of 11 aircraft carriers.
Moreover, the US is also the largest voting bloc in the IMF, with 16% voting share, making the country the most important member of the world’s leading lender. However, the country has been gradually receding from world affairs, primarily due to domestic problems.
In terms of global investments, US equity in Africa has grown from $12 billion to $45 billion in 2020. The investment peaked in 2014, at $69 billion and has been declining since, reflecting the US’s overall receding trend from world affairs.
However, the country is still significantly invested in Asia. Its investment in the continent has increased from $207 billion in 2000 to nearly $1 trillion in 2020.
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