The Global South amid geo-economic fragmentation: strategic responses from Brazil, India, Indonesia and South Africa

Abstract

The present polycrisis – driven by geopolitical wrangling, the energy transition and Industry 4.0 – is pushing international economic relations towards greater geo-economic fragmentation. Against the backdrop of that new order, this paper seeks to contribute to understanding the Global South's agency through an analysis of the international insertion strategies of Brazil, India, Indonesia and South Africa. The study suggests that these countries have implemented sophisticated strategies to maintain their independence and further their national interests. It uses a comparative analysis to contrast the instruments employed in each case, identifying various possible courses of action. The conclusions underscore the Global South countries’ capacity to have an impact on the emerging international order.