Abstract
As the central role of the state in international relations is challenged, many new actors are emerging on the world stage. Today, there are a multitude of international organizations or groups of countries with considerable influence. Among the latter, the BRICS are drawing increasing attention with greater economic and political weight. Calling for the need to build a multipolar world, the ideological approach of the group of five dynamic world economies is intended to unite in a world marked by Western hegemony. It is important to note, however, that the five countries that make up the BRICS have their own specificities, which differentiates them from one another. Apart from the ideological constant that undeniably unites them, the BRICS are above all five distinct economies, five political systems, five foreign policies, to name but a few factors. The author uses a number of criteria to analyze the place of Brazil and South Africa in the BRICS. Referring to the weaknesses of these two countries, the author pays a close attention to their foreign policy approach in the context of BRICS' restructuring of the world order, as well as to the political scandals identified in the last decade at the top of these two countries.
Highlights
The beginning of the 21st century was marked by fundamental changes in world politics and world economy
In the ten years of the BRICS' existence, Brazil and South Africa have distinguished themselves as the only members of the group whose executives have been seriously shaken by political crises, driven by repeated corruption scandals that have led to changes at the top of the state
The World Bank, WTO and IMF were created as part of the Bretton Woods system after the Second World War and were supposed to guarantee global economic stability, but since the 1970s, all these institutions have become ideologically inclined towards neo-colonial politics and market extremism
Summary
The beginning of the 21st century was marked by fundamental changes in world politics and world economy. Coined in 2001 by Jim O'Neill, head of the Global Economic Research Department at Goldman Sachs, the term BRIC referred to the four rapidly growing global economies: Brazil, Russia, India and China. It was only after South Africa's integration in December 2010 that the group became BRICS. Vol 12, No 4; 2019 members to be compared to the rest of the group Assuming that these two countries would represent the weak links of the group on a number of points, this article analyses all the factors characterizing the position of Brazil and South Africa within the BRICS
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
