Emerging powers and new global politics? An Indian perspective on the BRICS paradox. Issue 6 (2nd November 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Juutinen, Marko
• Is Part Of: Third world thematics. Volume 4:Issue 6(2019)
• Page Start: 489
• Page End: 506
• Publication Date: 2019-11-02
• Subjects: Non-Western IR -- classical Indian political theory -- realism -- transnationally intertwined state factors -- global leadership -- BRICS; Developing countries -- Economic conditions -- Periodicals; Developing countries -- Politics and government -- Periodicals; Globalization -- Periodicals; 338.90091724
• DOI: 10.1080/23802014.2019.1636713
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2379-9978

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Complementing international relations theories with indigenous perspectives has become ever more relevant with the pace of change in international affairs. BRICS is one of the new initiatives that can be seen as factors driving that change. Yet, it is difficult to theorise BRICS as an international agent, especially in the context of global governance. This article has two objectives: first, to theorise international relations from a non-Western perspective, i.e. through an interpretation of an Indian classic, Kautilya's Arthashastra ; and second, to employ that interpretation to conceptualise BRICS. As a litmus test for the analytical viability of the Kautilyan perspective, this paper uses it to decipher a puzzle that some scholars have called the BRICS paradox, i.e. the mismatch between theoretical expectations and reality. This paper finds that the Kautilyan perspective as developed here seems to pass the test and explain the BRICS paradox. Having sought to test Kautilyan concepts in the contemporary context, the paper confirms the analytical value of the ancient theorisations and their potential for contemporary IR scholarship.