Global shifts caused by the rise of anchor countries

Abstract

Recently a group of large developing countries started to emerge as important drivers of regional, and in some cases even global, change. "Anchor countries" are the largest economies of their respective home regions. Their rise implies a power shift in different spheres of economy and politics and brings about new patterns in the organization of global space. We analyse this shift with regard to the global economic order and to global security policy. Furthermore, we explore how the enhanced economic and military relevance of anchor countries is reflected in global governance institutions.