Abstract
The author of the article aims to answer a question if and to what extent
the financial and economic crisis of 2008–2010 has influenced the lineup of
political forces in the world. The research method consists in determining
the relations between the dynamics and the direction of changes in the global
lineup of economic forces and the global political system. The results of the
conducted research confirm the rightness of the thesis that there is a varied
level of influence of economic factors on the political position of states and
groups of states. The latest crisis only slightly weakened the leading position
of the United States in the world. It is true that a noticeable growth of
countries formerly included in the co called South appeared in the global
politics, but the United States still plays the role of an unquestioned leader
in the world. The crisis had the biggest influence on the European countries
and weakened their political position in the international politics. During the
crisis, the role of China in the world politics increased considerably but it was
also due to other factors which are not important any longer (the Olympic
Games in Beijing, the World Expo in Shanghai). The crisis has not changed
the lineup of forces in the world. Only a modification of a multi-polar system
has taken place but, as before the crisis, it is led by the United States.