From Western Dominance to Multipolarity? Explaining BRICS Expansion through Structural Realism
Author : Dr. Hitesh R. Patel
Abstract :
The transformation of the international system from a predominantly Western-led order to an increasingly multipolar structure is one of the most defining geopolitical developments of the twenty-first century, with the expansion of the BRICS grouping serving as its focal empirical manifestation. Although BRICS has transitioned from a loose economic analytical category into a formalized, highly visible geopolitical coalition, there remains limited theoretical consensus regarding whether its unprecedented enlargement signifies a genuine, structural redistribution of power or merely institutional dissatisfaction with the existing Western-centric international order. Grounded in a qualitative comparative analysis using the framework of Structural Realism, this study investigates the systemic imperatives driving BRICS expansion and its broader implications for global polarity. The investigation demonstrates that the enlargement of BRICS represents a calculated strategy of institutional and external balancing against Western hegemonic dominance, primarily driven by concerns over relative gains, structural vulnerabilities, and the weaponization of the global financial architecture. Furthermore, the findings indicate that while this expansion significantly accelerates the redistribution of material and diplomatic capabilities, it contributes to an evolving, transitional phase of multipolarity rather than a fully consolidated multipolar system, constrained largely by internal geopolitical asymmetries and bilateral rivalries among its member states. Ultimately, this research argues that Structural Realism offers a more robust, explanatory account of the strategic motivations underpinning BRICS enlargement than liberal institutionalist perspectives, highlighting how emerging and middle powers utilize alternative multilateral frameworks to secure strategic autonomy within an enduringly anarchic international environment.
Keywords :
Structural Realism, BRICS Expansion, Multipolarity, Institutional Balancing, Global Governance.
