Deconstructing the Empire: BRICS and the Rise of a Multipolar World

Abstract

This study examines the rise of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) and its impact on the global political economy through Hardt and Negri’s concept of “Empire.” BRICS has challenged Western dominance by leveraging economic globalization to build influential networks, reflecting trends of deterritorialization and decentralization. Key strategies include China’s push for internet sovereignty and Russia’s market realignment under Western sanctions. The recent expansion of BRICS to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE underscores its growing influence in reshaping global governance. However, the study also identifies elements of “Empire” within BRICS, such as the use of economic leverage and biopower to exert control. These findings reveal a complex interplay between power and resistance, where BRICS, while challenging Western hegemony, also replicates some control mechanisms. This research contributes to the theoretical discourse on globalization and provides practical insights into the evolving multipolar world order.