The Brics as a Coalition: Analysing the Cooperation of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa in the International Monetary Fund and the G-20

Abstract

The rise of the BRICS is evident to the general public yet little academic literature has been written regarding its collective role in the international scenario Rather, this coalition is widely considered to be solely a descriptive acronym of the emerging powers. This dissertation studies the definition and role of the BRICS as a coalition that cooperates on the international stage. In order to do that it uses a diverse set of analysis. These tools of analysis conclude, both independently and collectively, that the BRICS act as a de facto coalition in two different international settings, in the G-20 and in the reforms of the International Monetary Fund.This paper defines the BRICS and their place in the current academic discussion of global politics. It uses three different types of analysis to assess whether the BRICS are in fact a coalition. The first approach is theoretical that utilises a framework often applied to analyse the blocs within the World Trade Organisation. The second approach is a qualitative analysis regarding how the creation of the G-20 and how its decisions were affected by the BRICS coordination. The final approach is a case study that examines the gains achieved by the BRICS during the reform of the IMF.