About the author:
Waseem Ishaque, Senior Fellow of Taihe Institute
Introduction
BRIC began as a meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in 2006.1 It was made into a formal summit in 2009, evolved into BRICS with the addition of South Africa in 2010, and expanded to BRICS Plus as more nations joined. Since its inception, the bloc has gained a unique reputation as a voice for the Global South. The BRICS Plus coalition represents an alternative to the US-dominated unipolar world order, which has become polarized and marred with conflicts in recent years. Operating through a framework of consensus and dialogue, the original five BRICS countries account for more than 40% of the world population and a quarter of the global economy.2 The 15th BRICS summit held at Johannesburg in August 2023 approved the expansion of the organization, with new members officially joining on January 1, 2024.
An Inclusive Global Framework
Amidst global instability, the original BRICS nations - Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa - expressed a commitment toward strengthening multilateral collaboration and initiated the expansion process during the 15th BRICS summit.3
While addressing the 15th BRICS summit in Johannesburg, Chinese President Xi Jinping encouraged efforts to deepen business and financial cooperation, expand political and security cooperation, increase people-to-people exchanges, and improve global governance. He highlighted that development is "an inalienable right of all countries, not a privilege of a few." He also emphasized that BRICS countries should be peers in development, oppose "decoupling," supply chain disruption, and economic coercion, as well as focus on practical cooperation in areas including the digital economy, green development, and supply chains.4
Noting that the specter of Cold War mentality still haunts the world, Xi said that attempts to seek absolute security at the expense of others will eventually backfire. He further emphasized the need for BRICS countries to collaborate on hot spots, pushing for political settlement and cooperation.5
Emphasizing that international rules must be "written and upheld jointly by all countries... rather than dictated by those with the strongest muscles or the loudest voice," Xi advocated for inclusiveness, peaceful coexistence, harmony between civilizations, and respect for nations in regards to independently choosing their modernization paths. 6
Incentives to Join BRICS Plus
The recent expansion of the BRICS, which now encompasses Saudi Arabia, Iran, Ethiopia, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates, is widely seen as a momentous development for the global geopolitical and economic landscape. BRICS Plus is an amalgamation of developing economies that has subsequently emerged as a significant contributor to the global economy. Nevertheless, the inclusion of five additional emerging economies represents a noteworthy progression of the group's international significance.
The expansion of power in developing economies marks a shift from traditional G7 dominance and Western unipolarity. This transition has the potential to create a multipolar system built on international collaboration, resulting in a fairer and more diverse global framework. One possibility is that the expansion of BRICS could lead to the emergence of a new global financial system less reliant on the US dollar and Western financial institutions. Furthermore, the expansion could foster enhanced collaboration among BRICS Plus countries regarding energy, exerting significant influence on global energy prices and markets.
BRICS Plus members have begun aligning on matters concerning global governance. They created the New Development Bank and other financial entities, and advocated for the restructuring of the United Nations Security Council and other global organizations to grant just and equitable representation.7 With the inclusion of new members, the bloc now represents 45% of the world's population and 33% of the global GDP.8 Newcomers were potentially driven by the notion that joining the bloc would provide them with the opportunity to broaden their business prospects and reduce reliance on Western nations and institutions.
Some countries see the alternative payment systems of BRICS Plus as a highly advantageous opportunity. Joining BRICS Plus could potentially facilitate the establishment of alternative supply chains, stimulate economic growth, diversify economies, reduce expenses, foster e-commerce and market integration, and kindle collaboration with other BRICS Plus nations. Joining BRICS Plus creates opportunities for potential foreign direct investment (FDI), and an alternative to Western-focused financial institutions like the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.
The expansion of BRICS has significant ramifications for global energy dynamics, as it unites countries with substantial mineral and oil resources with fast-growing energy consumers. Now, the bloc collectively accounts for over 40% of global crude oil production.9 This surpasses OPEC, which, based on recent estimates, controls 38% of global crude oil.10 Following the inaugural BRIC Summit held in Yekaterinburg, Russia, in 2009, the now BRICS Plus has consistently emphasized collaboration in the energy sector. The Delhi Declaration of 2012 emphasized the necessity of multilateral energy collaboration within the BRICS framework.11 BRICS Plus countries might work together to develop new energy technology, invest in renewable energy projects, and enhance energy efficiency. This has the potential to mitigate climate change and advance the development of renewable energy in the developing world.
BRICS Plus and Complex Interdependence in International Relations
In international relations theories, complex interdependence refers to an economic transnationalist concept that recognizes the significance of actors beyond states. The term acknowledges that social welfare concerns are equally important as security issues and that cooperation is just as prevalent as conflict in international politics. Robert Keohane and Joseph Nye employed the analytical framework of complex interdependence to criticize political realism.12 According to them, the intricate and diverse transnational links and interdependence between states and cultures have grown, bringing profound transformation to international politics. The significance of military force and power balancing, though crucial, is shrinking.
The increasing interdependence amongst BRICS member countries, especially in regards to economic integration, and BRICS' overall contributions against the zero-sum game mentality, has earned respect and interest from prospective members. In contrast, Western-led organizations, irrespective of mandate and purpose, have become instruments of geopolitics, meddling in the affairs of other countries, coupled with economic and military coercion. BRICS Plus is expected to work towards ensuring global energy security, food security, and human security by way of common development, for which the organization is well-tuned.
BRICS Plus Represents a Voice for Global South
In a contemporary context where power relations are undergoing reassessment, the expansion of BRICS is not contradictory. Rather, it signifies the concordance of a multipolar order. Embracing diverse viewpoints and fostering international partnerships is a necessity for establishing a more inclusive and resilient global society. In a time marked by interconnectedness, the growth of BRICS Plus presents a favorable outcome: a cohesive bloc that gives agency to the Global South and steers toward a future where cooperation prevails over conflict.
The expansion of BRICS is predicated on the acknowledgment that achieving a fairer global order necessitates proactive participation of governments beyond conventional power hubs. The expansion not only contributes to economic prowess but also introduces distinctive perspectives and vital expertise, enriching discourse on global governance. The essence of BRICS Plus is cooperation, the formation of consensus, and reciprocal respect, principles which serve as the basis for meaningful engagement. BRICS Plus seeks to establish a platform for communication and collaboration by broadening its membership, overcoming divisions, and fostering mutual comprehension in the presence of diversity.
The BRICS Plus 2024 agenda places high importance on the ideals of inclusivity, mutual benefit, and collaborative efforts to advance fair and equitable global prosperity and security.13 The expansion coincides with an urgent need for a comprehensive and resilient global framework. The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed the vulnerabilities of a global society marked by disparities in wealth and opportunity. Tackling hotspot issues and economic development of the Global South remains high on the agenda, as well as revitalizing the UN platform as an international body for tackling the evolving challenges of traditional and non-traditional security concerns. BRICS Plus, with its pragmatic focus on economic collaboration and progress, offers a promising opportunity for joint endeavors in addressing pressing issues such as healthcare, climate change, and sustainable development.
BRICS Plus and Geopolitics
The expansion of BRICS is perceived to enhance collaboration amongst member nations and increase their impact on the international stage. The new members are strong emerging economies with substantial potential for economic expansion. Their membership in BRICS Plus is expected to enhance trade and investment amongst member nations and facilitate collective efforts to tackle shared non-traditional security threats.
The enlargement of BRICS has been embraced by certain nations and criticized by others. Detractors contended the expansion would undermine the primary objective of BRICS Plus, which was to unite the foremost emerging economies worldwide, as the newly added members lack the same level of economic development as the original BRICS countries, which will dilute the bloc's impact. Advocates of the expansion argued that it would facilitate the advancement of economic growth and development in the Global South, further facilitating the establishment of a more just multipolar global power structure, characterized by less influence from the West.
Conclusion
International order is undergoing a profound transition. A host of global conflicts and political hot spots have exposed vulnerabilities in the legacy of the unipolar framework. In contrast, China has advocated inclusivity, tried to resolve hotspot issues through dialogue and peaceful means, and remained actively involved with global partners to address traditional and non-traditional security issues. The BRICS expansion represents a successful milestone for diplomacy and economic prowess, an effective voice for the Global South, and a will to resolve issues like poverty, underdevelopment, and an overcentralized international order.
1. "Previous Summits," XIV BRICS SUMMIT, last modified February 22, 2022, http://brics2022.mfa.gov.cn/eng/gyjzgj/ljldrhwjj/.
2. "Xinhua Commentary: BRICS Gains Charm as Global Dynamics Shift," Xinhua, August 22, 2023, https://english.news.cn/20230822/df661448e34b42edae5db6341b6d6124/c.html.
3. BRICS, XV BRICS Summit Johannesburg II Declaration, August 23, 2023, https://brics2023.gov.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Jhb-II-Declaration-24-August-2023-1.pdf.
4. Xi Jinping, "Seeking Development Through Solidarity and Cooperation and Shouldering Our Responsibility for Peace," transcript of speech delivered at the 15th BRICS Summit, Johannesburg, August 23, 2023, https://english.news.cn/20230823/54dbd48e5e4f40f7bc2f15a1a7a3ab59/c.html.
5. Xi, "Seeking Development."
6. Xi, "Seeking Development."
7. BRICS, Johannesburg II Declaration.
8. Gregory Zerzan, "Ignoring BRICS Expansion Threatens America's Economic Security," Newsweek, January 12, 2024, https://www.newsweek.com/ignoring-brics-expansion-threatens-americas-economic-security-opinion-1859634.
9. Zerzan, "Ignoring BRICS."
10. "OPEC - Statistics & Facts," Statista, accessed January 15, 2024, https://www.statista.com/topics/1830/opec/#topicOverview.
11. BRICS, IV BRICS Summit Delhi Declaration, March 29, 2012, http://brics2022.mfa.gov.cn/eng/hywj/ODS/202203/t20220308_10649515.html.
12. Robert O. Keohane and Joseph S. Nye, "Power and Interdependence," Survival 15, no. 4 (July 1, 1973): 158-165, https://doi.org/10.1080/00396337308441409.
13. "Russia’s BRICS Chairmanship to Focus on Strengthening Multilateralism — Putin," January 1, 2024, Tass, https://tass.com/russia/1728605.
Please note: The above contents only represent the views of the author, and do not necessarily represent the views or positions of Taihe Institute.
This article is from the January issue of TI Observer (TIO), which examines the dynamics of the BRICS expansion in a global context. If you are interested in knowing more about the December issue, please click here:
http://www.taiheinstitute.org/Content/2024/01-31/1604465221.html
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