AMultipolarandInterdependentReality:BRICSRoleandChallenges

inInternationalAffairs

PadydehEghbali1

ABSTRACT

Thispaperfocusesonmanyconceptsofinternationalaffairsandaspects
of global governance such as interdependence, multilateralism,
multipolarity, joint action and stability. It presents a short summary of the
BRICS members with some of their international aspects to assist withthe
layout of the ideas in the paper. In the current international and
interdependentdynamics,theneedforapolicenteredworldorderhasforced
usintoasearchfor multilateralcooperationandthereshapingoftheworlds
governance system in order to address issues essential to global stability,
suchasinternationalsecurity.BRICShasevolveditsagendatoincludethese
imperative affairs and by doing so, asserts its position as a possible new
world leadership. The presented analysis deepens into the ideals of joint
action and cooperation in the field of international security in order to
achieve common goals of stability and growth, with a light on the role of
BRICS. It offers a presentation on the challenges and problems faced in
effortsof multilateralcooperation andinthemultipolar statusoftheBRICS
countries. It ends with a conclusion on the current reality of BRICS with
some possible solutions to difficulties faced and the idea of making useof
theTheoryofGamesandtheNashEquilibriuminpolitics.
Keywords:
BRICS GlobalGovernance,InterdependenceInternational
SecurityMultilateralism

InternationalRelationsundergraduatestudentatUniCEUBCentroUniversitriode

Braslia.DF,Brazil.Email:pady.eghbali@gmail.com.

INTRODUCTION

It is more clear everyday that the dynamics ofour internationalsystem

have assumed an inevitablemultilateralaspect thatcannotbeignoredwhen
it comes to the organization of global governance. The complexity of our
globalizedreality and intenseconnections intheinternationalscenarioforce
us into a wide and diversified catalogue of relations. This obvious
interdependence generatedby our interactions leavesspace formanyissues,
problems andconflictsthatmustberesolved.Asweknow,themorecontact,
the more friction. We can no longer deny the necessity of a multipolar
environment in which all can findspace togrow,demonstrateinternational
capacitiesandparticipateinthediscoursesofglobalpolitics.
Such multipolarity entails some uncertainty and risk and this amplifies
our demand for flexible and multilateral diplomacy and for collective
leadership. Intheseaspects,contributioncanbe madetosuchissuesbynew
centersof politicalinfluencesuchasBRICS. The membersofBRICSarein
searchofa moreequitablesystemofglobalgovernanceand,asitwasstated
byits leadersinBrasliain2010,they workfor amultipolar,equitableand
democraticworld order,basedoninternationallaw,equality,mutualrespect,
cooperation, coordinated action and collective decisionmaking of all
states.2
Currently, we can observe emerging markets gaining space as global
players, enough to influentiate the system. Because of their expanding
economicsizeandactivediplomacy,BRICShasadoptedamorevitalrolein

VyacheslavNikonov
,BRICS:analysingthesecuritydimension,2013,

http://www.brics.utoronto.ca/newsdesk/durban/nikonov.html(accessedAugust,2015).

the international sphere and they keep on gaining influence in the

decisionmaking process. The BRICS agenda has evolved and now it
includes not only financial, technological, environmental and information
security issues, but also strategic cooperation and dialogueon international
security.
BRICS countries arekeyUN(UnitedNations)memberswhenit comes
to maintaining international peace and security. China and Russia are
permanentmembersoftheUNSC(UnitedNationsSecurityCouncil)andthe
other three members are frequently elected as nonpermanent members.
They have been assuming an active stance in both peacemaking and
peacekeeping fields and they have affirmed their support for a
comprehensivereformof theSecurityCouncilinsearchofalesshegemonic
environmentinsidethechannelsofconflictresolution.
Finding their way beyond economical and financial issues, BRICS
countries haveshownastrongpolicyinsupportinginternationalpeaceandit
is evident thesimilarityoftheir actions with theuseofsoftpowerandtheir
belief that peace can sometimes be reached through diplomacy instead of
through the use of coercive methods that can bring more instability and
violence.3
Even though similarities can be found, there are still challenges that
haunt the development of BRICS and its role, not only in international
security, but inallof itsefforts. Thesechallengesare aboutfindingbalance

RenataThiebaut
,InternationalSecurityandGlobalGovernance:Strengtheningtherole
ofBRICStofacilitateconflictmanagement
http://mundorama.net/2011/09/14/internationalsecurityandglobalgovernancestrengthenin
gtheroleofbricstofacilitateconflictmanagementbyrenatathiebaut/(accessedAugust,
2015).
3

in the symmetries and disparities of the members 4 and cannot beresolved

withoutthewillingnessofthegrouptobecomeaunitedandstrongone,with
synchronized policies that can serve as a bedrock for the construction of a
newpolicenteredandconstructiveworldorder.

TheBRICSmembers
There are nodoubtsthateachofthefiveBRICSmembershaveaprecise
role in the international stage, and each has its importance to the gear of
BRICS. We have, forthefirsttime,agroupofcountriesfromdifferentand
diverse continents working on transforming the world order constructively
and they have three things in common that shines a bright light on their
future. Each is large both in size and population, each has an expanding
economy and each is undergoing military modernization efforts aimed at
preservingtheirstrategicinterests.5
Brazil is not only the leader in Latin America, but it is also a country
with peaceful diplomacyengaged inglobal issuesthatfallintothecategory
of security. Their peacebuilding and peacekeeping efforts exert a vigorous

RenataThiebaut
,InternationalSecurityandGlobalGovernance:Strengtheningtherole

ofBRICStofacilitateconflictmanagement
http://mundorama.net/2011/09/14/internationalsecurityandglobalgovernancestrengthenin
gtheroleofbricstofacilitateconflictmanagementbyrenatathiebaut/(accessedAugust,
2015).
5

DanielDarling,
BRICMilitaryModernizationandtheNewGlobalDefenseBalance(Part
1of
2),http://www.eurodialogue.eu/BRICMilitaryModernizationandtheNewGlobalDefense
Balance(AccessedinAugust,2015).

influence andthecountryisperhapstheonethathasachievedahigherstatus
quoinworldaffairsinashorteramountoftime.6
Russia exerts influence by being not only a permanent member of the
UNSC, but also both a nuclear a military power. Specially because of its
strategic geographical position and its history as a superpower,the country
hashelditsrightfulplaceofimportanceininternationalsecurityissues.
India isknownfor beingthelargestdemocraticcountryintheworldand
even though its history is marked by border disputes with Pakistan and
China, India has been trying to maintain a more peaceful posture. The
countryisanuclearstateandisseekingapermanentseatintheUNSC.
Chinacouldbeconceived assomesortofaleadertoBRICSbecauseof
itseconomicpower, itsmilitaryandnuclearpoweranditspermanentseatin
theUNSC.Accordingto the worlds GDP, thecountryis the secondlargest
economy in the world and it continues to grow rapidly. The state is
considered to be a responsible stakeholder, which makes its prominence
remarkable.
South Africa was formally invited to join BRICS in december, 2010.
The country maintains a positionof African leadershipandtracksapathof
increasingeconomicgrowth.ItisahubforexternalinvestmentinAfricaand
its performance in internationalrelationshasbeenfortified.Thestateis not
onlyastrongcandidatetocontinuousdevelopment,butitalsopresentsmuch
potentialtoshareapositioninnewdynamicsofglobalgovernance.

RenataThiebaut
,InternationalSecurityandGlobalGovernance:Strengtheningtherole
ofBRICStofacilitateconflictmanagement
http://mundorama.net/2011/09/14/internationalsecurityandglobalgovernancestrengthenin
gtheroleofbricstofacilitateconflictmanagementbyrenatathiebaut/(accessedAugust,
2015).
6


GlobalGovernanceandtheriseofBRICS
Theworldisundergoingcomplexandprofoundchangesthataremarked
bythe strengtheningofmultipolarity,economicglobalizationandincreasing
interdependence.7Wecannotevolvewhiletheinternationalcommunitydoes
notstrengthencooperationfor commondevelopmentandtheveryexistence
ofBRICShasitspurposesetongoalsforsuchcooperation.
Perhaps,rearrangingthe settingsofourinternationalstagehasbecomea
more urgentneedandthebestpaththatcanbetakenis thestrengtheningof
an international voice.Thiscomesas anattemptto dismantlealong lasting
Western hegemony that can no longer tackle global issues by itself and
has sought progress based on the interests relevant only to developed
countries.
In such perspective, BRICS can be presented as an alternativevoiceto
the Western discourses on global and regional issues. Legitimacy is lost
when the old powers do not find the abilities to sustain the old world
order. 8 Notwithstanding, there will be many oppositions to a rising voice
that offers a new set ofpoliciesandinteractionsthatthreatentochange the
dynamicstowhichthesystemisusedto.

CedricdeConing,ThomasMandrup,LiselotteOdgaard
,TheBRICSand

Coexistence:AnAlternativeVisionofWorldOrder,
Routledge,2014,
pg.31.
8

NandanUnnikrishnan,
CanBRICSFindTheirVoice?:BRICSRoleinPeaceand
Security,
http://www.nkibrics.ru/system/asset_docs/data/5568/7b18/6272/693b/d156/0000/original/Na
ndan_Unnikrishnan_Session8.pdf?1432910616(AccessedinAugust,2015).

A revisionist speech has been at the core of such change since BRICS
called for the UNSC reform in the Sanya summit in early 2011.9 The
emerging powers aim to change the statusquoof the internationalscenario
because they play a crucial part in the interdependent network of
interactions. A part that keeps on growing and is, on its own, a call for
changethatcannottakeplacewithoutacommonunderstandingofcollective
interests.

InternationalSecurityandjointaction
Since the end of the 20th century and the Cold War, the idea of
international security has been revised and expanded to include many new
issues and actors. Because of the number of threats in the modern era, the
concept of security threat has been broadened and this widens space for
instabilityinthesystem.
As globalization deepens, the consensus on global trends and
understanding of the essential aspects of human life grows. Unfortunately,
this consensus cannot necessarilyenhance worldsecurityandstability.But,
whencomplementarygoalsarefound,thedilemmabetweencompetitionand
cooperationintheinternationalrealmisdiminished.10
The current security problems cannot besolved just byonestatealone.
Joint action must take place and effective mechanisms exerted. To
effectively confront 21st century threats, a new kind of integratedstrategic

SanyaDeclarationoftheBRICSLeadersMeeting,
http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90776/90883/7351063.html
10

FengZhongping,RobertHutchings,RadhaKumar,ElizabethSidiropoulos,Paulo
WrobelandAndreiZagorski,
Globalsecurityinamultipolarworld
http://www.iss.europa.eu/uploads/media/cp118.pdf(AccessedinAugust,2015).
9

thinkingisrequiredandthereareno questionsabout thefactthatintegrated

strategicthinking aimedatthestabilityoftheinternationalsystemandworld
peaceandsecurityisthefoundationoftheUNSC.
It has been made clear that the BRICS countries are supporters of the
centralroleof theUNanditsSecurityCouncilinsafeguardingpeacebythe
useof theUNCharterandtheuniversallyrecognizednormsofinternational
law.11
With such in mind, the joint influence of BRICS in the contemporary
international security arena cannot be overlooked. In 2011, all the BRICS
countries were members of the UNSC and their common positions in the
deliberations showed theireagernesstoapproachworld securityissueswith
a diplomaticattitude,thussettinganexampleofjointactioninthesearchfor
peacefulconflictresolution.

TheroleofBRICSinInternationalSecurity
It wasalreadystatedinthispaperthatBRICShasbeenworkingtofinda
stronger political voice in global affairs, and by doing so, theyhaveadded
more matters ofpoliticalandinternationalimportancetotheiragenda.Their
example in the internationalsecuritystageisthe beginningofarecognition
process,inwhichtheyriseaspowerscapabletoinfluentiate onmajorworld
wideissues.
The BRICS countries are home to almost fifty percent of the world's
population, whichentitlesthem with theright tohavea say onregionaland

11

TatianaDeich,

BRICS:ANewActorinGlobalSecurity,

http://russiancouncil.ru/en/inner/?id_4=2813#topcontent(AccessedinAugust2015).

globalissues.12 Withnew conceptsofinternationalthreatsandinternational

security and the reality of the BRICS members, it is inevitable that,
alongsidethe recognition processdescribed, they havebeguntoplayamore
pivotalroleinshapingthepeaceandsecurityagendaintheworld.
Not only their regional interests, but also their overseas interests have
broadened, and,asaresult,theyhave become moreintegratedtothe global
network and their economics and politics more interdependent in a global
aspect. As a repercussion, peace and security in the entire world and the
stabilityofthesystemaffectsBRICSmoreandmore.
As a result of the sum of their rights, their needs and their desire to
reform the system, they will become increasingly involved in a broader
range of world issuesandwilloffer aheftyassistance whenit comesto the
maintenanceofinternationalpeaceandsecurity.
It is essential that the ideals of cooperation andjointactionare not left
aside by a troubled history of relations. As stated by
Maite
NkoanaMashabane, forging fruitful partnerships and a stronger global
governance template requires cooperation between developed and
developing countries 13 and BRICS has a main role in this perspective.
They mustaimatnurturing cooperationtoconstruct aworld orderinwhich
responsibilities are diffused and shared, and they must also continue with

12

NandanUnnikrishnan,
CanBRICSFindTheirVoice?:BRICSRoleinPeaceand

Security,
http://www.nkibrics.ru/system/asset_docs/data/5568/7b18/6272/693b/d156/0000/original/
Nandan_Unnikrishnan_Session8.pdf?1432910616(AccessedinAugust,2015).
13

MaiteNkoanaMashabane
,SpeechbyMinisterMaiteNkoanaMashabanetothe
SouthAfricanInstituteoffInternationalAffairs(SAIIA)onthetopicTherelationship
betweenSouthAfricaandtheEmergingGlobalPowers
http://www.dfa.gov.za/docs/speeches/2010/mash1101.html(AccessedinAugust,2015).

their efforts to work towards common understanding and a consensus of a

peacefulworld.14
Challenges in the International Security Field and Problems of
MultilateralCooperation
The legitimacy of decisions, actions and positions of the fivecountries
depends on thestrengtheningofthe groupanditsrecognitionbytherestof
theworld asaleadershipfordevelopmentandgovernance.Howcanagroup
of countries from different continents that present, lots of times, different
stands on political matters, become the conductor of the worlds flow of
interactions and a key stakeholder for the maintenance of international
security?
There are similarities that unite the BRICSintermsofpoliticalpowers
suchastheiruseof soft powerandtheirUNpositioning,especiallytowards
conflict resolution and problem solving. There are also many disparities
related to their different status quo in the international scenario and their
lackofcommonapproach toworld issuesat manytimes.But,howcanthey
overcome their disparities in order to advance cooperation in international
securityandotheraffairs?15
Finding harmony between their similarities and their disparities is the
realchallenge.BRICSis positivelya new poleofforce anditsmembersare

14

NandanUnnikrishnan,
CanBRICSFindTheirVoice?:BRICSRoleinPeaceand

Security,http://www.nkibrics.ru/system/asset_docs/data/5568/7b18/6272/693b/d156/000
0/original/Nandan_Unnikrishnan_Session8.pdf?1432910616(AccessedinAugust,2015).
15

RenataThiebaut
,InternationalSecurityandGlobalGovernance:Strengtheningthe
roleofBRICStofacilitateconflictmanagement
http://mundorama.net/2011/09/14/internationalsecurityandglobalgovernancestrengthe
ningtheroleofbricstofacilitateconflictmanagementbyrenatathiebaut/(accessed
August,2015).

emerging powers thathavemanyinternalandexternalaffairstodealwithon

theirown.Becauseofthe worlds complexinterdependence,variednational
interests andinternaldiversity ofthecountries superstructures,it ishardto
align external politics and diminish problems in their rhetoric. As hard as
these challenges present themselves to be, they must be overcome by the
betterment of relations,mutualrespectandconcernandthedevelopmentof
newdesignsofcooperation.

Conclusion
Each of the BRICS countries represents an entire civilization with its
own unique cultural and political traditions that shape their approach to
international affairs such as security, but that can be seen as an advantage
andaninnovationtothesystem.16
Bearing in mind the concepts of multilateralism, development,
cooperation and a new balanced world order, we canconcludethatBRICS
countries have the capacity to contribute to the world in many aspects and
that theypresentgreat potentialtoassist activelyand firmly inthe security
environment.
Such an informal organization takes on amoreflexiblefeaturethatcan
aidtheinvolvedcountries andtheworldwithmorepracticalresults,evenif,
at most of the times,thoseresults comefrombilateralinteractionsamongst
themembers.
The ideals of reshaping the international system can beusedtoreflect
the emerging countries concerns, leaving space for BRICS to benefit in

Nikonov,Vyacheslav
,BRICS:analysingthesecuritydimension,

16

http://www.brics.utoronto.ca/newsdesk/durban/nikonov.html(AccessedAugust,2015).

protecting their own global interests. Doubtlessly, the members are

concernedwithproblems thatcanbein thewayofdevelopment,notonlyto
them, but to the world and they should receive encouragement when
workingforprogress.
Evidently, it is not easy to take on a more proactive role when these
countries havetheirownchallenges,domesticallyandinunanimity,butthey
have encouraged and presented a goal of creating a safer and better world
order by making use of diplomacy and multilateralism. When they face
challengesin thesecapabilities,they cannotletsuchdifficultiesovershadow
their beliefs and they must remain faithful to their own goals in order to
continue their work in favor of a superior level of world development and
synchrony.
Most countriesexternalpoliticsare, atmany times, like jigsawpuzzles
thatdont alwaysfitorthatrequirepatienceinordertomake rightpiecesfit
together. It is evident that sparse interactions get in the way of any
organization of states. BRICS must learn to use their interdependence in
order toaligntheir politics forcommon goals. The waytodothatistolearn
howtocounterbalancetheirdomesticinterestswiththeirinternationalones.
From theprospect ofrealism,allcountrieswillcontinuetoactonbehalf
of their own interests. But, if we evaluate the multilateral synergy required
toestablishavaluable,effectiveandconstructive worldorderwith focuson
constantdevelopment,then perhaps JohnVonNeumannsTheoryofGames
and the Nash Equilibrium couldbe spreadfrom theeconomicsphere tothe
politicalonewhen itcomestocollaborative workthatseeksmutualbenefit.
It is feasible that the search for collective benefit can offer more viable
solutions to the problems in multilateralcooperationwithin BRICS andthe

world,with aspecial lighton internationalsecuritytosecurestabilityandto

widenspaceforcollectivedevelopment.

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