But the country's recently elected President Dilma Rousseff has made the issue one of her big social policy reforms.

BBC: Brazil Supreme Court awards gay couples new rights

That works well for economic reforms, but in social policy it fails to pool risk efficiently.

ECONOMIST: Chinese consumption is about much more than shopping

With them in charge of both houses, the president could find it difficult to push through any policy initiatives, such as his proposed social-security reforms, or another economic stimulus package.

ECONOMIST: Too close to call | The

Whereas the IMF has steered only Turkey's macroeconomic policy, the EU has been the catalyst for an entire programme of social and economic reforms.

ECONOMIST: Anchors aweigh