The BRICS expanded: Shaped by–or shaping–the global order?

Abstract

Policymakers and academics face a persistent puzzle when analysing the BRICS: determining what exactly this grouping wants to achieve. The uncertainty stems from contradictory signals–BRICS countries simultaneously call for reforming global institutions while building their own parallel alternatives; champion multilateralism while actively coordinating positions that challenge Western (especially United States) leadership of multilateralism; and advocate for inclusive governance, while often excluding traditional powers from their arrangements. Is BRICS shaped by, or shaping, the unfolding global order? The contributions to this special issue illuminate different aspects of the ‘shaped vs shaping’ dialectic through three analytical approaches that collectively reveal recurring themes and competing interpretations of BRICS’ transformative potential. The aim is to present new insights for policymakers at the national as well as international level, and to provide valuable research to scholars and students of international affairs.