The Geopolitics of BRICS 31interacting within the ambit of their own scientific and technological
development to transform their energy, agricultural, defence and industrial
sectors. The fact that these developing economies’ share in economic
output has progressed from 18% in 2000 to 28% by 2009 reflects the
potential that BRICS has.^43
There is a robust historical correlation between the balance of power
and the rules of the multilateral system. Following the Second World War,
the asymmetries of power remained a necessary factor regarding the
preservation of the international trade regime. When the GATT (General
Agreement on Trade and Tariffs) was established in 1948 and throughout
the numerous rounds of negotiation, there was a clear power configuration;
Europe and the US were the rule-makers and trade powers of the
multilateral trade system. An example of the authority maintained by these
two powers was best reflected at the conclusion of the Uruguay Round in
- This round of negotiations was only concluded after Europe and the
US had agreed with each other over agricultural trade and this stance was
presented to all other participants as a fait accompli. To date, agriculture
remains one of the most contested issues within the realm of international
trade and the obligations applying to Brazil, China and India remain much
stricter that those that apply to the EU, US or Japan. The inequality felt by
these countries during the Uruguay Round has manifested itself in a much
stronger stance being seen by BRICS countries at the Doha Round (which
began in 2011), with the obvious objective being to reform the multilateral
trading rules so that a more equal relationship can be established that will
reflect the new balance of power. The fact that the stance of developing
powers along with the BRICS countries led to a deadlock at the Doha
Round is a positive indication regarding mutual cooperation of BRICS as
well as the G20 countries.^44
The geopolitics of multilateralism, specifically within the multilateral
trading system, is a relatively new phenomenon described by some
analysts as institutionalized power transitions. Although geopolitical
transitions are infrequent within international relations they do occur, as
reflected by the geopolitical change that is happening from within a
unipolar system dominated by the USA towards a multipolar configuration
of power in which the BRICS are the anticipated poles of power–notably
economic power.
(^43) Baracyhy,“The Geopolitics of Multilateralism: The WTO Doha Round
Deadlock, the BRICS, and the Challenges of Institutional Power Transition.”
(^44) Baracyhy,“The Geopolitics of Multilateralism: The WTO Doha Round
Deadlock, the BRICS, and the Challenges of Institutional Power Transition.”