Building Cooperation between theBRICSand Leading Industrialized States

Abstract

This article examines relations between theBRICSand leading industrialized states. It starts by analyzing the former's mutual relations, focusing on how the ideational construct presented byJimO'Neill in his “BRIChypothesis” became formalized as a leader‐level diplomatic group at a summit inYekaterinburg,Russia, in 2009. I evaluate how theBRICShave influenced international issues and whether “cooperation” or “conflict” characterizes their relations with key industrialized states, concluding that there has been greater multilateral cooperation since 2008, especially through international forums such as theG20. TheBRICSpartnership is one ofunequals, significant for international economic relations primarily due toChina. This has had important consequences as theChinese government has prioritized economic cooperation with leading industrialized states. Influential countries can continue to benefit by enhancing multilateral ties in what are often nonzero–sum situations.