Introduction: The Global Order at a Crossroads
The traditional global political and economic system centred on Western-led coalitions, such as the G7, is challenged to an extent and BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa), coming into existence, poses a serious challenge. With both blocs widening their sphere of influence and vying to control global governance frameworks, the world appears to be moving to a new era, one that has a more balanced distribution of power in regions and ideologies.
G7: An Engine of Western Hegemony
The industrialized, liberal-democratic world has historically been represented by the G7 (Group of Seven) that includes the US, UK, France, Germany, Italy, Canada, and Japan. It wields high power with respect to economic policies within the world, climate change, finances (such as IMF, World Bank), as well as security issues. Although G7 countries have a relatively small level of the world population (approximately 10 percent), together, in 2023, these countries had an approximate ratio of nearly 29 percent global GDP (PPP) (Al Mayadeen, 2023).
Nevertheless, Criticism of the G7 has increased in recent decades. Various nations found to be in the Global South consider its elitism, exclusivity, lack of representation with the current demographic and economic changes plaguing the world.
The inability of the block to provide fair share of vaccine in the context of COVID19 pandemic and failure inability to follow through on climate finance commitments has further diminished its trustworthiness in global south.
BRICS: A Counterweight in the Making
On the contrary, BRICS appeared in the early 2000s as an alliance of large emerging economies that attempt to contest against the Western-centric world order. By 2023, the share of BRICS countries in world GDP (PPP) was 35,7% (Al Mayadeen, 2023) the first time they passed the G7 share in world GDP.
At the 2023 Johannesburg Summit, BRICS broadened itself by inviting six other countries as Saudi Arabia, Iran, Egypt, Argentina, Ethiopia, and UAE. This augmented bloc (BRICS+), is now considered almost thirty-nine percent of world GDP (PPP) and more than forty-five percent of world populations (Geopolitical Economy, 2025).
More importantly, BRICS promotes alternative institutions such as:
- The rival of the IMF/World Bank is the New Development Bank (NDB).
- Currency swap mechanisms to de-dollarize international trade,
- A vision of multipolarity that resists Western dominance.
The Contest for Global Norms and Values
The G7 is committed to liberal democracy, human rights and rule-based order as it tends to justify sanctions or interventions using them. Conversely, BRICS, particularly, with China and Russia in the middle of it, rests on the policies of non-interference, sovereignty, and developmentalism.
Such ideological division has made BRICS a safe haven of nations that are alienated from the Western influence especially US sanctions. The emergence of the Belt and Road Initiative in China and turning East by Russia further contributes to the BRICS rhetoric of the inclusive and multilateral world.
Is Power Really Shifting?
Although BRICS has started gaining sense, it is also limited internally. Demographics vary in political infrastructures, strategic objectives and regional conflicts particularly the India-China conflicts. In addition, BRICS does not have institutional depth, military synergy (as NATO), and common values as it is the case with G7.
Nevertheless, it is impossible to deny the symbolic and economic importance of BRICS. The group is now the voice of emerging phenomena- the group that puts in question dollar dominance, climate injustice and unfairness in world governance.
Nation states in Africa, Latin America and South Asia are becoming closer to BRICS on trade and development not because they shun the west, but they want to be included in the proceedings.
Conclusion: A Shift in Process, Not Yet Complete
The world scenario of power is changing and not in absolute matters. The world is not seeing a replacement but rather rebalancing. BRICS is not creating the destruction of the G7-dominated order but compels that to evolve to fit in a more plural and less centralized world.
This changing contest is not solely economic; it is whether values of the community, future, and alternatives as proposed by different systems and alliances will be more inclusive. It is apparent as this battle of visions continues that the unipolar moment has ended and multipolarity is no longer a theory, it is in the move.
