The BRICS have forged a collective identity to become a new driving force in Global Governance. They have used bodies such as the G20 to produce changes at global governance levels. This has raised two questions on their role. First, can they hold a common position despite different developmental agendas? Second, has the China’s economic leap produced a unique (Chinese) agenda rather than a collective (BRICS) one?
BRICS; Emerging powers; China; G20; Global governance
| Topic | Challenges | Objectives to pursue |
|---|---|---|
| Systemic changes | Creating South-South cooperation under the umbrella of wider systemic international cooperation. | Pressure in the use of international forums and enforcement of a common agenda. |
| Comparative advantage in production cost and population size, enough to claim representation in global governance. | Foundations of cooperation will be under the systemic approach supported by the G20. | |
| A follow-up strategy should be considered in order to trace structural changes. | ||
| Cooperation | G20 erected a series of barriers, which translates into rigid codes: more bureaucracy. | New rules by creating its own mechanisms and institutions. |
| Creation of the New Development Bank attempts to establish its own dynamic of cooperation. | South-South cooperation as an exclusive exercise. | |
| A new agent will allow new dynamics, but within the current system of global governance. | ||
| New agenda | Financial institutions hold significant power in the economic system. | Diverse range of political models could create a paradox in the promotion of a specific political model. |
| South-South cooperation agenda is based on liberal market reforms in order to promote confidence in the system. | Diversity could weaken the position of the BRICS and create power fissures. | |
| Democracy promotion by the BRICS is not prominent. | Diversity will push the rise of individual nations and agendas, leading to overlap with South-South cooperation. |
