Listening beyond the echo chamber: Emerging Middle Powers Report 2024

This executive summary outlines the findings of a survey comparing foreign policy perspectives between Germany and the IBSA countries (India, Brazil, and South Africa). It highlights divergent views on the war in Ukraine, the dominance of the US dollar, and the role of BRICS+, while identifying shared hopes for the G20 and a mutual desire for UN Security Council reform.

• Respondents in India, Brazil, and South Africa (IBSA) identify distinct primary foreign policy challenges: climate change for Brazil, relations with China for India, and the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East for South Africa, though all three prioritize international trade.
• There is a significant divide between German respondents and those in IBSA regarding geopolitical alignments and economic structures. German respondents favor the US-dollar's dominance and are critical of BRICS+ and its expansion, whereas IBSA respondents view the dollar's dominance unfavourably and are generally optimistic about BRICS+, despite some criticism regarding the inclusion of Iran.
• A conflict exists between Western expectations and IBSA preferences regarding the war in Ukraine; while Germany and the West seek a clear stance against Russia and support for sanctions, majorities in IBSA prefer their countries to act as mediators.
• Despite differences, there is common ground in the high hopes held by respondents in all four countries for the G20 and a shared interest in reforming the United Nations Security Council, although German respondents are as likely to support replacing the UNSC as reforming it.
• The report suggests that Germany and the West should respect the agency of emerging middle powers and avoid forcing them to choose sides in geopolitical rivalries, noting that China's cooperation helps these powers balance their relationship with the United States.

APA

South African Institute of International Affairs (2024). Listening beyond the echo chamber: Emerging Middle Powers Report 2024. https://saiia.org.za/research/listening-beyond-the-echo-chamber-emerging-middle-powers-report-2024/

Chicago

South African Institute of International Affairs. Listening beyond the echo chamber: Emerging Middle Powers Report 2024. 2024. https://saiia.org.za/research/listening-beyond-the-echo-chamber-emerging-middle-powers-report-2024/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=South African Institute of International Affairs |title=Listening beyond the echo chamber: Emerging Middle Powers Report 2024 |date=18 March 2024 |url=https://saiia.org.za/research/listening-beyond-the-echo-chamber-emerging-middle-powers-report-2024/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{southafricaninstituteofinternationalaffairs2024listening, author = {{South African Institute of International Affairs}}, title = {{Listening beyond the echo chamber: Emerging Middle Powers Report 2024}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2024}, month = mar, url = {https://saiia.org.za/research/listening-beyond-the-echo-chamber-emerging-middle-powers-report-2024/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }