South Africa in BRICS: The Regional Power’s Soft Power and Soft Balancing

Abstract

ABSTRACTBRICS was ostensibly established to counter the global dominance of the US. With the waning of military power and increasing reluctance to engage in hard balancing in the international system, some scholars observe that the BRICS countries are harnessing their non-military power to challenge US global hegemony through soft balancing. South Africa’s membership of BRICS has generated heated debate with many considering the African powerhouse as a minnow in the grouping. Against this backdrop, this article explores if, in common with the other BRICS members, South Africa has the resources to engage in subtle means to balance the influence of the US, particularly in its region. It explores the sources of South Africa’s soft power and the extent to which, if at all, the country relies on soft-balancing techniques to counter US influence. The article employs soft balancing, the soft side of balance of power theory and concludes that, like other BRICS countries, South Africa wields remarkable soft power and engages in soft balancing to counter the US’ influence in Africa and (in concert with other BRICS states) at the global level.