There is no denying the fact that BRICS is just beginning to gain global attention, yet it has already sent a strong signal that it could become the most powerful alliance in the world in the near future.
This emerging phenomenon has recently been a topic of discussion among public commentators.
In light of this unfolding development, OurWorldGist’s guest writes Ezema Chekwube Sunday, from Garin ZauZau, Kaduna State, shares his perspective in an article titled “The Rise of BRICS and the Shift from a Unipolar to a Multipolar World.”
Let us read what Chekwube S. Ezema has to say on this important topic.
“The transition from a unipolar to a multipolar system is creating significant volatility and uncertainty, and the world especially Africa must brace for this new reality.
China and Russia have successfully built an alliance known as BRICS.
This signifies a shift in international affairs from a unipolar world dominated by the United States to a multipolar system where power is more evenly distributed among states, corporations, and non-state actors. It also suggests that multiple contenders now have the capability to shape the global order.
While the United States remains the dominant military power, political, economic, and technological influence is shifting eastward to countries like China and India.
A few years ago, China, Russia, India, Brazil, and South Africa formed the BRICS alliance.
A year and a half ago, six more nations joined, and in recent weeks, thirteen additional countries have become members.
This expansion has made BRICS representative of more than half the world’s population.
In comparison, the United States, the leader of the unipolar world, accounts for only 4.5% of the global population.
As the leader of the unipolar world, the United States also relies on the G7 as its key allies.
However, BRICS now surpasses the G7 in population size. Economic power is often measured by a country’s GDP, which includes the total output of goods and services along with other valuable assets. In this regard, BRICS has a distinct advantage over the West.
The alliance now possesses a large market capable of supporting its developing economies without fear of sanctions from the United States and its allies.
This poses a significant challenge for the West. If BRICS nations can sustain their rapidly growing economies independently of the U.S., then the Western world must acknowledge this reality rather than turning a blind eye.
The G7, which includes the United States, Canada, Japan, France, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Italy, is now being outpaced by BRICS in terms of economic influence.
Every country and major corporation worldwide is now reassessing and redesigning its strategies for the future.
This shift signifies a global awakening to the fact that the United States, which has dominated for the past 70 years, is no longer the sole global power.
A new competitor has emerged in BRICS, ready to challenge the former order.
This change means that a country like Nigeria or South Africa can negotiate with China to build railroads without involving Washington, Paris, or London.
Similarly, Burkina Faso or Niger can construct nuclear energy plants with Russian engineers without seeking approval from the West. Evidence of this shift is visible in their bold decision to exit ECOWAS.
International business will increasingly revolve around bargaining power and practical benefits. Nations can now weigh offers from the West against those from Beijing, New Delhi, and São Paulo.
More often than not, countries are choosing BRICS over the West. This reflects a broader trend: the decline and potential end of American global dominance, which the United States inherited from the British Empire.
The inevitability of this transition is undeniable.
Despite this significant shift, the reality of America’s declining influence was not a central issue in the recent U.S. presidential election.
Instead, both major political parties Democrats and Republicans seemed to be in denial, avoiding any meaningful discussion of the matter.
The war in Ukraine serves as a clear example of how costly this denial has been for the United States.
When the conflict began in February 2022, President Joe Biden and his administration assured Americans that Russia would be brought to its knees.
They predicted the collapse of the Russian ruble and anticipated that the entire Western world would rally behind Ukraine to defeat Russia.
None of these predictions materialized.
The strategy to cripple Russia relied on denying it access to Western markets for its oil and gas exports, a key pillar of its economy.
Since most of Russia’s energy exports were directed to Western Europe, the expectation was that cutting off this revenue stream would cause Russia’s economy to collapse.
Thus, instead of succumbing to economic ruin, Russia turned to its BRICS allies, particularly China and India.
These nations provided alternative markets, allowing Russia to maintain its energy exports.
Consequently, Russia’s economy has grown faster than that of the United States throughout the duration of the war.
This development underscores how far BRICS has come and highlights its potential to reshape the global order.
The world is undergoing a fundamental transformation, and ignoring this reality would mean being left behind”.
Chekwube S. Ezema writes from Garin ZauZau, Kaduna State, Nigeria.
