The Geopolitics of BRICS 33Leonid Ivashov, President of the Geopolitics Problems Academy at
Moscow University, believe that the BRICS alliance should be viewed
from a wider perspective, especially as each country represents a
civilization type which he sees as both particular and highly important on
the global scale. Additionally, he foresees, “due to profound geopolitical
reasons,” the civilizations (BRICS) moving to the fore, and argues that
they are “oriental and carry essentially non-Western values, moral norms
and forms of social organisations.”^48
Conclusion
The BRICS grouping is rapidly developing into a collection of States that,
due to their rapidly growing economic power, could challenge Western
hegemony. The five countries of BRICS have the potential to achieve this
if they function as a collective. However, there seems to be a lack of
political will with regard to achieving this objective. The most significant
challenge the BRICS face is the ability to obtain cohesion amongst the
members. China remains the leading member of the BRICS and without
its contribution BRICS would not have been a reality. At the same time
China has the most to gain from operating within the BRICS structure.
Russia follows and the country stresses the need that a great deal can be
achieved within a geopolitical perspective. South Africa is possibly the
next most enthusiastic, with little to lose and more to gain including status
and recognition that it is a ‘partner’ within the BRICS as well as a market
for its commodities. India’s membership is probably due to the fact that
China is a participant, thus India wants to ensure that it maintains some
control over interactions involving its colossal neighbor. Brazil remains
the least enthusiastic member based on various factors, the most relevant
being its close relationship with the US. The fact that both China and
Russia are status quo powers and do not indicate any willingness to
support the other three BRICS members within the international fora –
notably UNSC reform that could lead to one of the other BRICS members
obtaining a permanent seat, could well lead to the BRICS’s demise.
Benefits remain the key dynamic regarding BRICS membership. There
is no doubt that from a trade and economic perspective all countries are
benefiting from their participation in the grouping, but it remains a big
brother relationship with China controlling the purse strings. The adage
‘putting your money where your mouth is’ seems to have borne fruit
within the BRICS context with the establishment of a currency reserve
(^48) Ivanshov, “BRICS and the Mission of Reconfiguring the World.“