The South African Journal of International Affairs (SAJIA) invites scholars,
practitioners, and policymakers to contribute to our upcoming special issue on
the BRICS expansion. This issue will explore the implications of BRICS
enlargement, examining both the opportunities and challenges it presents to the
existing global order.
Formally convened in 2009 – comprising Brazil, Russia, India, and China before
South Africa's inclusion in 2010 – the BRICS group has been an influential voice
in global governance, particularly advocating for emerging economies. This
group's expansion reflects its members' desire to enhance their collective
bargaining power and influence within the international system. The inclusion of
South Africa marked the first expansion of BRIC into BRICS, symbolising the
group's pursuit of a more inclusive representation of the Global South's
economic and political concerns.
In 2023, BRICS embarked on another significant expansion phase by inviting seven
more countries: Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, the United Arab
Emirates, and Saudi Arabia. This move aimed to broaden the geopolitical reach
and economic base of BRICS, potentially shifting the global balance of power and
introducing new dynamics into the governance of global affairs. Argentina and
Indonesia, however, declined the invitation, and Saudi Arabia's decision to join
remains pending as of this writing. These responses highlight the complex
geopolitical considerations that countries must navigate.
The expansion of BRICS in 2023 is nevertheless poised to substantially affect
international relations by extending the group's influence and potentially
altering the strategic calculations of both member and non-member states. The
expanded membership could transform BRICS into a more significant challenger to
traditional Western dominance in global affairs, or conversely, it might dilute
the group's coherence, presenting challenges in aligning its members' diverse
political and economic agendas.
This special issue is thus timely and seeks to critically examine the dynamics
at play in BRICS enlargement, considering both opportunities as well as
challenges inherent in the next stage of BRICS engagement on the world stage.
Potential Article Topics
We are looking for rigorous analytical and empirical studies that offer fresh
insights into BRICS' operations, impact, and strategic trajectory, particularly
considering its enlargement. Submissions may include thorough policy analyses
assessing the consequences of BRICS initiatives internally or globally.
Additionally, we seek detailed case studies that elucidate BRICS' interactions
with global systems or other nations, highlighting lessons or insights that
contribute to understanding international cooperation dynamics. We also
encourage critical reviews of recent literature addressing BRICS' expansion and
its implications for global governance.
In light of this, topics might include:
1. Economic Implications of an Expanded BRICS: The editors seek studies on the
economic implications of an expanded BRICS, notably regarding trade
dynamics, economic policies, and financial systems. Submissions might
analyse how integrating diverse new member economies would affect the BRICS'
role in global economic governance. Another area for discussion might be the
BRICS' initiatives towards adopting digital currencies and creating
independent payment systems to lessen reliance on major global currencies.
Papers could assess how such monetary policies might affect international
trade and/or global financial markets.
2. Geopolitical Shifts Resulting from BRICS Expansion: The editors would
welcome submissions that explore the geopolitical effects of expanding BRICS
into diverse geographical regions. Papers might analyse how this alters
regional power balances, diplomatic relations, and global trade dynamics,
for instance around critical maritime and overland trade chokepoints.
Contributions could investigate the interaction between BRICS members and
major global powers like the US, the EU, and China (which is itself a BRICS
member, adding to complexity), assessing internal tensions and external
diplomatic strategies. Studies might also consider the implications for
BRICS members’ responses to international conflict, highlighting the
potential for increased tensions, or for enhanced global partnerships.
3. BRICS and Global Governance: Articles might analyse how an expanded BRICS
can influence the reformation of international institutions and global
norms. Submissions might examine BRICS' potential impact on pressing global
challenges such as climate change or economic crises. What role might it
have as a bloc in global economic policies, environmental agreements, and
the development of international law? Does BRICS aim to fundamentally
change the global order, or to secure a more influential role within the
existing order? Papers might explore how shifts in global power dynamics
affect BRICS' strategies, its interactions with other major global powers,
and its role in international negotiations, highlighting its position as a
potential reformer, challenger, or new power centre in global governance.
4. Comparative Analyses of Old and New BRICS Members: The editors encourage
assessments of the political, economic, and social congruencies and
disparities between current and potential BRICS members, as well as the
impact of these elements on group dynamics. Analyses could focus on how
these similarities and differences might affect internal cohesion and the
external efficacy of BRICS as a unified bloc.
Link: The BRICS expanded: Shaped by – or shaping – the global order? (taylorandfrancis.com)
