Will the ascent of new actors in the international scene bring increased multilateral coordination? Using BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India and China) as an example, the paper explores possible answers in two levels of analysis -actors and system- and in two issue areas: global economy and international politics. The paper begins by describing changes in the international economy (system) and the coming of age of BRICs (actors) in the context of the rise of emerging economies. Secondly the patterns of distribution of power throughout the international system are explained. In this context, the capabilities and intentions of BRIC as an international actor are laid out. The third section advances the possible trajectories of interaction between actor and system according to an action-reaction dynamic. Finally, the paper answers the core question: does more distribution of power in the international system imply more coordination between units? Will multipolarism enhance multilateralism?
Keywords:
BRIC, multipolarism, multilateralism, Brazil, Russia, India, China
Author Biography
Mariano Turzi, Universidad Torcuato Di Tella
M.A. en strategic studies y Ph.d. en Latin American studies, School of International Studies, Universidad Johns Hopkins, Estados Unidos; ex becario Fullbright; académico del Instituto Torcuato Di Tella, Argentina.
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