Упрощенная HTML-версия
Authors: Ilya Ilyin, Head of the School of Global Processes, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Pro-
fessor, Doctor of Science (Political Science);
Olga Leonova, Professor at the School of Global Processes, Doctor of Science (Political Science);
Oleg Alexeyenko, Lecturer at the School of Global Processes, Lomonosov Moscow State University
GLOBALIZATION and regionalization have set a
trend for new associations of states such as regional and
interregional organizations and dialogue forums to
emerge to take over decision-making on some interna-
tional issues. New regional organizations and dialogue
forums are set up with the participation of emergent
political players, actors that are vehicles of an innovative
format of international cooperation. BRICS, which
brings together five key regional powers representing four continents and four major civilizations,
is a splendid example of such an association.
The BRICS countries are unanimous in being dissatisfied with the status quo in current geopol-
itics and with their roles in today's system of international relations. They seek economic pros-
perity, adequate social welfare, and greater international political influence for themselves, and
act in unison in trying to build a new, polycentric system of international relations. In view of
this, it is important to analyze the five nations' objectives and confrontational or destabilizing
factors in bilateral relations between some of them.
BRAZIL is the largest country in both Latin and South America by area and population. It has
the largest economy in South America and produces one quarter of continent's industrial output
and one third of its agricultural output. It also accumulates more than half of South America's
scientific and technological potential.1 Brazil has very clear foreign policy priorities.
RUSSIA is justly described as the founder of BRICS. Primakov was the author of the RIC strate-
gic triangle idea, a concept the BRICS stemmed from.
Russia's presence in BRICS is fully in line with its national interests. It is of great economic im-
portance for the country.
INDIA is one of the main players in international affairs and consistently asserts itself as one
of the world's economic leaders.
It is a country with a rapidly growing economy, rich resources, and large demographic, economic,
political, and military potentials.
BRICS provides India with a major platform for discussing a wide range of global financial and
political issues with Brazil, Russia, China, and South Africa. India attaches great importance to
academic-level meetings, which have positive effects on BRICS agendas and make interaction
within the group more effective.
CHINA sees BRICS as a means of building a new, just and rational world order, according to
speeches by Chinese officials and analysis by influential Chinese research centers.
http://interaffairs.ru
BRICS as the Common Denominator of Strategic Priorities