The bipolar system is becoming more and more loose. The dominant powers can't influence their allies as much as they previously did. The allies have more maneuverability. These changes have increased the importance of conflict resolution research and increased the functional role of diplomacy. Pastusiak noted that political and economic modernization tend to not proceed at the same pace.
Some nations excel in one, but lag behind in the other.
Increases in political freedoms may cause rising expectations. If the economic system cannot deliver, this leads to tensions. On the other hand, China advanced much more than many Eastern European countries in the economic realm, but lagged behind those nations in political reforms. The result was Tiananmen Square. Hungary is another example of this.