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Originally Posted by James

China becoming such an economic power despite not being democratic or have much free-speech is changing the world and politics.

Same with the Gulf countries - no democracy but enormous wealth and now becoming more important in global affairs

Could say it might change when oil reserves dry up but then you have a situation like Kuwait - the only Gulf country with anything close to democracy - which is now becoming more authoritarian and their own citizens blame parliament for constraining their economy while their neighbours flourish