2015-05-23-sidiropoulos-7th-brics-academic-forum-democratising-the-brics-image-e5033088c8422994.pdf

This research paper by Elizabeth Sidiropoulos argues that for the BRICS grouping to be perceived as a positive alternative to existing dominant global powers, it must move beyond its image as a collection of emerging markets and embrace an inclusive developmental agenda. The author proposes that the BRICS should lead on four specific global challenges: rising inequality, the finite nature of the Anthropocene age, the rise of identity-based radicalism, and the tension between state sovereignty and the provision of global public goods.

• The BRICS grouping risks being perceived by other developing and low-income economies as merely replacing one set of dominant powers with another rather than acting as a force for positive global change.
• To enhance its collective soft power and image, the BRICS should advocate for systemic solutions to global inequality, specifically targeting illicit financial flows (IFFs) and international tax loopholes. The author notes that IFFs from Africa were estimated at approximately $50 billion annually in a 2015 report, while Global Financial Integrity reported worldwide IFFs from the developing world reached $991.2 billion in 2012.
• The BRICS must address the 'existential crisis' of climate change for low-income and small island economies by transitioning to lower-carbon futures. While some members are leaders in solar technology—with China as the leading producer and South Africa adding 503 MW to its grid via 15 solar plants over two years—the author argues for a common BRICS definition of sustainable development that goes beyond domestic initiatives.
• The author identifies a rising global narrative of violence driven by 'them' and 'us' dynamics, manifesting as ISIS in the Middle East, xenophobia in KwaZulu-Natal, and anti-immigration movements in Europe. The BRICS are encouraged to lead in developing an inclusive paradigm to counter this radicalism, which is often a result of failed social inclusion and marginalization.
• There is a tension between the BRICS' support for classical sovereignty and the need for a global governance architecture to provide global public goods. While the BRICS often view the erosion of sovereignty as a tool for Western dominance, the author argues they have a responsibility to underwrite global and regional public goods to enhance the legitimacy of global institutions.
• The BRICS' image is hindered by perceptions in Africa that the grouping replicates North-South economic relations, characterized by resource extraction, lack of transparency with elites, and insufficient consultation with civil society.

APA

South African Institute of International Affairs (n.d.). 2015-05-23-sidiropoulos-7th-brics-academic-forum-democratising-the-brics-image-e5033088c8422994.pdf. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/2015-05-23-Sidiropoulos-7th-BRICS-Academic-Forum-Democratising-the-BRICS-image.pdf

Chicago

South African Institute of International Affairs. 2015-05-23-sidiropoulos-7th-brics-academic-forum-democratising-the-brics-image-e5033088c8422994.pdf. n.d. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/2015-05-23-Sidiropoulos-7th-BRICS-Academic-Forum-Democratising-the-BRICS-image.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=South African Institute of International Affairs |title=2015-05-23-sidiropoulos-7th-brics-academic-forum-democratising-the-brics-image-e5033088c8422994.pdf |url=https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/2015-05-23-Sidiropoulos-7th-BRICS-Academic-Forum-Democratising-the-BRICS-image.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{southafricaninstituteofinternationalaffairsnd20150523sidiropoulos7thbricsacademicforumdemocratisingthebricsimagee5033088c8422994pdf, author = {{South African Institute of International Affairs}}, title = {{2015-05-23-sidiropoulos-7th-brics-academic-forum-democratising-the-brics-image-e5033088c8422994.pdf}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, url = {https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/2015-05-23-Sidiropoulos-7th-BRICS-Academic-Forum-Democratising-the-BRICS-image.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }