BRICS can succeed in building a multi polar world order but given the challenges it faces, the endeavor to substantially surpass the G7 alliance dramatically may not be successful. The last BRICS gathering in Johannesburg in August stirred debate about the attempt to challenge multinational alliances, particularly the G7. The coalition’s expansion to six nations, including Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, demonstrates its ambitions to establish a new world order. The strengthening alliance has sent a clear message around the world that it intends to transcend the dominance of the West and obtain a stronger say in global affairs. Given the Western alliance’s strength and dominance, do these aspirations appear realistic and achievable?

BRICS expanded rapidly to incorporate developing countries, unlike the G7, which interacts with these countries as required.  In 2001, an informal alliance of Brazil, Russia, China, and India formed, which was later expanded to include South Africa in 2010. While the G7 is an intergovernmental organization comprised of Germany, France, Canada, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States. This coalition represents a significant portion of global GDP and meets annually to discuss global challenges. China and Russia, two members of the BRICS bloc, have a direct conflict with the coalition, as Russia was expelled out of the alliance, formerly known as the G8, for annexing Crimea. On the other hand, China is considered as an emerging force that is already threatening the US’s supremacy in the Middle East. This represents the two countries’ intentions to replace the global Western system.

The BRICS bloc evolved from an economic forum to an intergovernmental platform in order to gain more political clout. BRICS has attempted to establish itself as a significant voice over the years but has been unsuccessful. Despite contributing around 26% of global GDP, which is expected to rise to 36% after the expansion, it only has 15% voting rights in the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Due to  the sanctions imposed following the Russia-Ukraine war, the fundamental aim of the expansion is to move toward de-dollarization, trade in local currencies, and diminish these countries’ reliance on the Western world.

BRICS is forming a partnership with oil-producing and developing countries around the world to counter Western dominance. A number of countries’ readiness to join the association demonstrates their support for altering the world order and moving toward a multi polar order. Egypt, Ethiopia, and Iran can expand their international ties and minimize their dependency on Western-dominated financial institutions by joining BRICS. It has the potential to open up new markets, develop new commercial opportunities, and give financial aid, which is especially important for countries subject to US sanctions. It is opening the road for some countries to be granted full membership, in contrast to the G7, which only engages with countries from the Global South occasionally. This emphasizes the necessity for these developing countries to have a bigger impact in global affairs by joining a stronger union and combating the G7’s power equally.

BRICS, however, must overcome a number of internal challenges before achieving its goal of international supremacy. For example, border disputes between China and India appear to be a source of discontent for both, giving birth to internal rivalry. Furthermore, not all BRICS countries are anti-Western, and the majority of the countries’ primary focus is on economic development. India, UAE and Saudi Arabia, for example, have good relations with the West and do not regard changing the current world order as crucial as the other two main states do. The new coalition members have their own geopolitical and economic objectives, thus it will be difficult to unite them on a unified agenda while keeping all member states’ concerns in mind.

Another problem that BRICS is currently facing is Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which has major ramifications for the entire world. Although countries such as Brazil fight for democratic ideals and fair government, they are part of a coalition with countries that have broken these ideals. Furthermore, Putin did not attend the most recent summit in South Africa since his attendance would have necessitated his detention under International Court of Justice rulings. Thus, the coalition must address the issue of Russian invasion, which appears to be an impediment to its worldwide acceptance, and member countries might have divergent views leading to internal tensions.

BRICS efforts are tilting the global order toward multipolarity, but some member countries may not abandon their current ties. It covers the UAE and Saudi Arabia’s collaboration with the US on critical issues such as defense and security. Thus, while the BRICS coalition may effect some dynamics, it appears unlikely that it will significantly undermine the G7’s dominance. The situation will further unfold in the coming months as other countries officially join the coalition in January, 2024. Given the disparities in geopolitical goals of these BRICS states, the world is closely watching the evolving crisis to see if their objectives to weaken G7 power are pragmatic or only superficial.