BRICS Expansion: Surfacing Challenge for Western Dominance
(Relevant for General Studies Paper Prelims/Mains)
BRICS Expansion: Surfacing Challenge for Western Dominance
Recently, during the 15th BRICS summit held in Johannesburg, a noteworthy development emerged as the existing BRICS group, composed of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, expanded its membership by extending invitations to six additional nations. These newly invited countries encompass Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from West Asia, Egypt and Ethiopia from Africa, and Argentina from Latin America.
BRICS is fundamentally reshaping the landscape of international relations through its advocacy for multipolarity, assertion of strategic autonomy, and cultivation of economic collaboration within its diverse member states. In the face of criticisms from Western analysts, BRICS is forging a distinctive trajectory in global politics, rendering its recent summit a pivotal juncture in contemporary history.
Objectives of BRICS
- Rejection of Emerging Global Binary Divide: India and its BRICS counterparts firmly oppose the notion of a looming global binary divide, which envisions a world characterized by two opposing and predominant powers, often drawing parallels to a new Cold War. They find this perspective lacking in foresight and do not align with it.
- Assertion of Strategic Autonomy: BRICS member nations, including India, are underlining their commitment to asserting their strategic autonomy. This entails a strong desire to formulate independent decisions and policies on the international stage, rather than aligning themselves with any specific superpower or bloc.
- Multipolar World Order: BRICS nations are actively promoting the concept of a multipolar world order. Their vision encompasses a global landscape where power and influence are dispersed among several significant actors, rather than being centralized within the control of a select few dominant countries.
- Demand for Voice and Respect for Interests: BRICS member states are advocating for their voices to be not only heard but also respected in international affairs. This indicates a clear aspiration for a more equitable and inclusive system of global governance that takes into consideration the concerns and interests of emerging.
Views of BRICS Towards West-led Organisations
- Unequal Voting Power: A significant issue that deeply concerns BRICS nations pertains to the imbalanced allocation of voting power within entities such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank. These organizations grant greater influence to Western nations, particularly the United States and European countries, primarily based on their financial contributions. BRICS member countries contend that this disparity severely hampers their capacity to influence policies and participate in decision-making processes.
- Lack of Representation: BRICS nations have consistently voiced their contention that the leadership and decision-making structures of these institutions fall short in adequately representing the diverse landscape of the global economy. They advocate for these organizations to more accurately mirror the economic significance and contributions of emerging economies like their own.
Criticisms Against BRICS
- Lack of Shared Vision: BRICS has faced criticism from Western observers who point out a perceived absence of a clear and unified shared vision among its five member nations. This suggests the possibility that these countries may not present a coordinated and consistent approach to global issues or may not be actively pursuing common objectives.
- Being a “Talk-Shop”: Detractors often label BRICS as primarily a platform for discussion and dialogue rather than an organization that translates deliberations into concrete actions or achieves substantial outcomes. In essence, it is portrayed as a space where leaders from these nations engage in conversations but struggle to generate tangible results or practical solutions.
- No Worthwhile Achievements: Critics argue that BRICS has yet to produce any noteworthy or significant accomplishments that would substantiate its existence as a cohesive bloc. They may contend that the group’s endeavours have not left a substantial mark on global affairs or have fallen short in effectively addressing critical challenges.
Challenge of BRICS to West-led World Order
- Ongoing and Comprehensive Nature of BRICS Interactions: BRICS member nations have maintained an annual tradition of summit meetings since 2009. Furthermore, the BRICS framework is reinforced by various ministerial and expert gatherings, indicating that it serves as more than just a periodic summit; it constitutes a platform for sustained and continuous engagement.
- Alternative Institutions: In response to their discontent with Western-dominated institutions, BRICS nations have taken steps to establish alternative financial organizations. The most prominent instance is the formation of the New Development Bank (NDB), also known as the BRICS Bank, and the Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA). The NDB’s primary goal is to provide financial support for infrastructure and sustainable development projects in member countries and other emerging economies. This initiative is perceived as a means to reduce reliance on Western institutions. The CRA, on the other hand, is designed to assist member countries facing short-term balance-of-payments pressures.
- Use of Local Currencies: BRICS member nations have reached a consensus to promote the use of their local currencies in internal trade and financial transactions, both among themselves and with other trading partners. This reflects their desire to decrease dependence on major global currencies like the US dollar and to encourage the utilization of their own currencies in international dealings.
- Advocacy for Reform: BRICS countries are actively advocating for substantial reforms in the current international order. They are pushing for a more equitable and inclusive global system that takes into account the interests and perspectives of emerging economies. This reform agenda encompasses calls for alterations in international financial institutions and global governance structures.
- Increased Economic Influence: The BRICS coalition collectively wields substantial economic clout. The expansion of BRICS membership has further amplified its influence. The group represents a significant segment of the world’s population, Gross Domestic Product (GDP), global trade, and energy production.
- Impact on the Energy Sector: The passage underscores the profound effect of BRICS expansion on the energy sector. With the addition of new member countries, BRICS nations jointly produce a substantial portion of the world’s oil, elevating them to a pivotal role in global energy markets. This underscores their potential to shape energy policies and influence energy markets.
The expansion of the BRICS group has brought considerable geo-strategic value to the grouping. The BRICS through its current summit has asserted that their “strategic partnership” will be directed at achieving “a more representative, fairer international order”. The recent expansion of BRICS’s membership has shaped a grouping that is aligned in terms of global perceptions and interests and collectively provides considerable economic clout to the enlarged conclave. The group’s efforts to assert their strategic autonomy in a multipolar world order have been described as a “turning point in modern history”.
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Answer: Media plays a crucial role in influencing public opinion by framing issues, setting agendas, and providing a platform for public discourse.
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