South Africa in BRICS : a review of asymmetric power relations in an intercontinental group

Abstract

The need for an even geographical spread and location were the underlying factors that informed the inclusion of South Africa in the BRIC states to become BRICS in 2011. With Brazil (Latin America, Russia (Eastern Europe and Asia), India and China (Asia), the inclusion of South Africa (Africa) completed the intercontinental status of the bloc of emerging economies as a formidable player in the global system. Rather than its economic and military strengths, South Africa‘s admission into BRICS is to fill the gap role as a continental representation in a group of states characterised by asymmetric power relations. This paper argues that while South Africa‘s membership in BRICS is a continuation of Pretoria‘s foreign policy objectives, its role as a fillthe-gap actor seems to reinforce the position of Africa as a weak continental actor in global politics. Central to relationships among nations in the international system is power, defined in military, economic, and socio-cultural capabilities to advance national interests in a larger community. In the absence of a central authority to regulate the behaviours of actors, each member of the global community strives to establish functional linkages of mutual interests and benefits. South Africa in BRICS does not accord it sufficient power to pull the strings among the group and in the continental politics.