Emerging Powers in a Comparative Perspective: The Political and Economic Rise of the BRIC Countries (original) (raw)

International Relations for the analysis of power relations; from the center to the periphery

Jesús Carabali, 2020

Introduction This essay aims to provide a critical analysis of the power relations that are structured from the center to the periphery. The main source of reference for this essay will be Brown and Ainley's book, which is entitled "Understanding International Relations", published in 2005. The authors make a rigorous effort to explain International Relations and to this end they resort to a historical journey from its genesis to the present day, which involves perspectives and theory of IRR, with the aim of providing some definitions, without the intention of falling into theoretical fundamentalisms or centrisms.

BRICS as the Subject of Study of International Relations Theory

International Organisations Research Journal, 2018

This article examines the phenomenon of the BRICS grouping of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa from the perspective of several theories of international relations; in particular, power transition theory, soft power and peaceful coexistence concepts, the theory of "global regionalism" and status theories are reviewed. Each explains both the BRICS phenomenon and the role of this integration association in the present-day international relations system. It is concluded that, depending on research objectives and the way it is applied, each theory-despite limitations-has explanatory power. Together they create an interdisciplinary basis for studying complex phenomena such as the BRICS. A number of modern theories hold that, along with the pursuit of purely material and pragmatic interests, the BRICS countries actively use this integration association to strengthen their positions in the world arena and elevate their international status. It is also concluded that the BRICS succeeded in creating an image of an alternative model of world order based on the principles of cooperation, mutual respect and balance of interests, rather than mandate, discrimination and hierarchy. It is premature to make a statement that a principally new type of interstate relations or an international institution has been created within the BRICS framework. At the same time, it is also certain that some positive experience has already been accumulated in the framework of this forum, and that this association offers good prospects for the future. For this reason it is of considerable interest for international relations theory.

The Changes in International Power Relations and Their Geopolitical Consequences (Book Chapter)

In. Géza Finszter, István Sabjanics (eds): Security Challenges in the 21st Century,, 2018

Through looking back to the transformative processes of the past 25 years, this study outlines the determining characteristics of the current international power relations, predominantly with an analytical approach. It seeks to answer the following questions: how should we approach the analysis of the international system, the changes that have occurred during the past 25 years, and today’s power relations? In doing so, the author offers an overview of how international power relations have transformed from the break-up of the bipolar world order to the current multipolar setup; how the concept of power and its elements have evolved; and how the range of influential actors of the international system has broadened, in overall changing the hierarchical structure of the whole system. Finally, the study also offers an analytical picture of the most important characteristics of international relations, identifying where the stakes for Europe and the European Union currently lie, as its course of development is also the primary strategic determinant of the future of Hungary.

International Relations Theory and the BRICS Phenomenon

2020

This article examines the BRICS phenomenon through the prism of several International Relations theories. Particularly, power transition theory, soft power and peaceful coexistence concepts, the theory of "global regionalism" and status theories are reviewed. Each of them suggests its own theoretical interpretation of the BRICS phenomenon, as well as its own vision of this group's role in world politics and economy. It is safe to assume that despite limitations of these theories each of them has some explanatory power. Being used together they can be helpful for studying-in an interdisciplinary way-a complex phenomenon, such as the BRICS. A number of modern theories hold that, along with the pursuit of purely material and pragmatic interests, the BRICS countries actively use this integration association to strengthen their positions in the world arena and elevate their international status. It should be noted that the BRICS was rather successful in presenting itself as a new model of world order which is a serious alternative to the existing one dominated by the West. It is based on the principles of cooperation, mutual respect and balance of interests, rather than dictate, discrimination, hierarchy and balance of power. It is too early to ascertain that a principally new type of an international institution was born within the BRICS format. However, there is no doubt that some positive experience has already been accumulated by this forum, and that this grouping has some good prospects for the future. For this reason, it will remain of considerable interest for International Relations theory.

PG 103/Introduction to International Relations

Understanding international politics is perhaps more difficult today than at any other time in history. The end of the Cold War and the demise of the U.S.-USSR rivalry brought numerous new threats, challenges, and opportunities to the forefront. It is hard for decision makers to define who their friends and enemies are, where new problems and solutions might be found, and how to best anticipate and prevent new crises from emerging.

Global Power Shifts and Challenges for the Global Order

The world is facing a dangerous power vacuum which may last for decades. This vacuum is developing because Europe and the USA are currently in a phase of relative decline while China, India and Brazil are claiming international standing without being able to fill this role. A close look reveals several significant changes in global politics and the world economy: China, Russia, India and Brazil are global actors and are gaining relative strength. Together with other regional powers (e.g. Turkey, South Africa, Indonesia) they are influencing global energy, climate, security, trade, currency, and development policies. At the same time, however, they are too weak because they – despite partly strong economic growth – are unable to eradicate poverty in their own countries and an extremely imbalanced distribution of income and wealth prevails resulting in massive social problems. The weak infrastructure, technological under-development and low levels of education for the majority of the population are characteristic for their economic and social situation. Their ability to effectively lead on a global level is limited as they do not yet provide enough global public goods (security, monetary arrangements, development aid). Furthermore, they are often not recognised as leading powers in their own regions. Their alliances such as IBSA (India, Brazil, South Africa) and BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa show a low degree of institutionalisation and a large gap between rhetoric and reality. Additionally, the new regional powers disagree on many issues and thus do not constitute a counterpole to the West. Finally, there is a growing normative disconnect between the regional powers, Europe and the USA. The paper is organized as such: First chapter deals with the relative decline of the US, the EU, the Western world. The second focuses on the rise of the New Powers (BRICS et al), the third chapter tries to find out how the New Powers act globally and influencing the global.

International+Relations+Notes

This section discusses the meaning and scope of international relations. It defines international relations from a number of angles. The reasons for increased subject matter of international relations and the meaning of key concepts such as intermestic politics and foreign policy are also examined in this section.