South Africa must be pragmatic about BRICS

The author contends that while South Africa does not meet the original economic criteria for BRICS, it possesses significant political influence in global forums. The paper suggests that BRICS members should focus on mutual learning regarding economic development, facilitating trade by removing non-tariff barriers, and ensuring any proposed BRICS development bank complements existing institutions. It advises South African policymakers to prioritize pragmatism over ideology, maintaining strong bilateral ties with BRICS members and acting as a political gateway to the African continent.

• South Africa does not meet the original economic criteria for the BRIC concept established by Jim O'Neill in 2003, which focused on fast-growing economies with large middle classes likely to overtake G7 nations by 2040.
• The BRICS grouping faces challenges in forging common positions due to divergent economic and political interests, particularly regarding the relationship between states and citizens, which contrasts with the shared democratic credentials of the G7.
• To build a common agenda, BRICS countries should focus on three areas: substantively discussing varying approaches to economic development (balancing markets vs. state), facilitating trade by addressing specific barriers like visas and customs rather than formal tariff-reducing agreements, and pursuing financial cooperation such as using local currencies in trade.
• Any proposed BRICS development bank must be established based on a clear case for adding value and complementing existing development financial institutions, rather than simply acting as a challenge to the World Bank.
• South Africa should utilize its position as a political 'gateway' to the African continent to gain political capital, while ensuring its BRICS strategy is guided by pragmatism and the pursuit of national interest rather than ideology.

APA

South African Institute of International Affairs (2012). South Africa must be pragmatic about BRICS. https://saiia.org.za/research/south-africa-must-be-pragmatic-about-brics/

Chicago

South African Institute of International Affairs. South Africa must be pragmatic about BRICS. 2012. https://saiia.org.za/research/south-africa-must-be-pragmatic-about-brics/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=South African Institute of International Affairs |title=South Africa must be pragmatic about BRICS |date=29 October 2012 |url=https://saiia.org.za/research/south-africa-must-be-pragmatic-about-brics/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{southafricaninstituteofinternationalaffairs2012south, author = {{South African Institute of International Affairs}}, title = {{South Africa must be pragmatic about BRICS}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2012}, month = oct, url = {https://saiia.org.za/research/south-africa-must-be-pragmatic-about-brics/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }