BRICS: An Examination Of Its Potential As An Alternative To Western Alliance

Simran Gungaliya

The global order, long dominated by Western alliances, is undergoing a subtle yet significant transformation. At the heart of this shift stands BRICS the association of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa which has steadily evolved from a loosely defined economic group into a potential counterweight to the West-led multilateral system. My research journey into “BRICS: An Examination of its Potential as an Alternative to Western Alliances” sought to explore the bloc’s evolution, its strategic positioning, and whether it can truly serve as a viable alternative in global governance.

Setting the Stage: Why BRICS?

The idea of BRICS originated as an investment term coined by Goldman Sachs in 2001. However, by 2009, it had morphed into a diplomatic and political initiative. What began as a shared aspiration for economic growth quickly matured into a platform advocating for a multipolar world a direct challenge to the post-Cold War unipolarity driven by the US and its allies.

In recent years, the expansion of BRICS (with countries like Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE joining in 2024) has sparked renewed interest in its global ambitions. My research stemmed from this inflection point: Could this expansion signal a shift toward a new, equitable world order?

Research Methodology

To critically evaluate BRICS’s trajectory, I employed a multidisciplinary methodology that drew from international relations theory, political economy, and strategic studies. I reviewed primary data from BRICS summit declarations, analysed economic and trade statistics, and studied secondary literature on global governance. Interviews with domain experts and policymakers enriched the practical dimension of the study.

I structured my analysis around three core themes:

              1. Structural Capabilities (economic, political, and military)
              2. Institutional Frameworks (initiatives like NDB and CRA)
              3. Geopolitical Intentions (diplomatic strategies and partnerships)

Key Findings

1. Economic Weight, but Strategic Divergences

The BRICS nations collectively account for over 40% of the global population and around a quarter of global GDP. Their economic heft is undeniable. However, their internal dynamics are marred by divergent national interests and political systems ranging from liberal democracies like Brazil and India to authoritarian regimes like China and Russia.

This ideological asymmetry often hampers the formulation of a unified foreign policy or strategic vision. For instance, while India has grown closer to Western countries through platforms like QUAD, China and Russia have pushed for a stronger anti-Western posture.

2. Institutional Innovation: The New Development Bank

One of BRICS’s most promising initiatives is the New Development Bank (NDB), headquartered in Shanghai. Established in 2014, the NDB aims to fund infrastructure and sustainable development projects in emerging economies. It represents a tangible effort to create financial alternatives to Bretton Woods institutions like the IMF and World Bank.

However, the NDB is still in its nascent stages. Questions about lending criteria, transparency, and leadership roles remain critical to its long-term legitimacy and impact.

3. The Challenge of Cohesion

BRICS does not function as a military alliance, nor does it have a binding political charter. Unlike NATO or the EU, its decisions are driven by consensus rather than legal commitments. This flexible architecture is both a strength and a weakness while it allows diverse countries to collaborate, it limits BRICS’s ability to act decisively on global crises.

In the Russia-Ukraine conflict, for example, member responses were not aligned, exposing BRICS’s limitations as a geopolitical force. While China and Russia held similar views, India and Brazil emphasized neutrality.

4. South-South Cooperation and Global South Leadership

One of BRICS’s enduring contributions is its commitment to amplifying the voice of the Global South. From reforming multilateral institutions to increasing representation in global decision-making, BRICS has consistently championed the idea of democratizing international relations.

Through summits and forums, it offers a platform for non-Western narratives, enabling emerging economies to assert agency in a system historically tilted in favour of Western powers.

Personal Insights from the Research Journey

Researching BRICS was more than an academic endeavour. it became a lens through which I understood the fluidity of international relations today. One of the most striking realizations was how emerging powers like India navigate the dual challenge of participating in Western-led structures while simultaneously advocating for new coalitions like BRICS.

The most rewarding part of the journey was engaging with experts who have seen these shifts unfold from the inside. Their insights helped me contextualize the technical aspects of trade policy and diplomacy within larger ideological debates about sovereignty, development, and equity.

This journey also reaffirmed the importance of youth engagement in global policy discourses. As the international order evolves, the ideas and energy of young researchers will be crucial in shaping inclusive, resilient, and forward-thinking alternatives.

Conclusion: A Work in Progress

BRICS is not a perfect coalition, nor is it a direct replacement for existing alliances. Rather, it represents an evolving experiment in reimagining multilateralism. Its potential lies not just in balancing the West, but in creating a more inclusive global governance model one that reflects the aspirations of a truly multipolar world.

As the bloc continues to expand and institutionalize, its ability to influence the international system will depend on whether it can overcome internal contradictions and craft a coherent strategic narrative. My research suggests that while challenges abound, the momentum toward a diversified global order is undeniable.

BRICS, thus, stands not just as an acronym, but as a symbol of possibility in the 21st century.

About the contributor: Simran Gungaliya is a fellow at DFPGYF Diplomacy, Foreign Policy & Geopolitics Youth Fellow at IMPRI and is a is a keen enthusiast of political science.
She has done her majors in history & political science and is currently pursuing masters in international relations and diaspora. She has a curious mind and is very passionate for debates. She has held numerous leadership roles in her college.

Disclaimer: All views expressed in the article belong solely to the author and not necessarily to the organisation.