Kuatnya BRICS: Mampu Menggeser Kekuasaan Amerika Serikat?

Summary

The BRICS alliance, comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, has grown into a powerful economic and geopolitical force challenging Western dominance, particularly that of the United States. With a shared history of fighting against colonialism and economic subjugation, BRICS has expanded to include new members and partners, gaining influence globally. The alliance's economic strength has surpassed that of the G7, with its members holding vast natural resources and emerging as leaders in global trade. BRICS also seeks to reduce dependency on the US dollar and create a more multipolar world order, offering a fresh alternative to the dominance of the West.

Takeaways

• 😀 BRICS, formed in 2009, has grown from an alliance of four rapidly growing economies (Brazil, Russia, India, and China) to a global influence, adding South Africa in 2011 and expanding further in 2024.
• 😀 As of 2025, BRICS includes 18 members and partners, covering half the world's population, and controlling over a third of global oil production and key minerals like nickel, copper, and iron ore.
• 😀 BRICS countries now account for 35% of global GDP, surpassing the G7 countries' share, reflecting a shift in global economic power from the West to the Global South.
• 😀 China, as the second-largest economy in the world, plays a central role in BRICS with its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), enhancing its influence globally through infrastructure development.
• 😀 India, with its large population and rapid economic growth, offers a significant domestic market and is a major player in the technology and industrial sectors.
• 😀 Russia remains a key energy producer, playing a vital role in global energy markets despite Western sanctions, using BRICS as a platform for international relations.
• 😀 Brazil and South Africa contribute strategic geographical diversity, with Brazil being a major Latin American economy and South Africa providing vital connections to the African continent.
• 😀 The BRICS initiative challenges the dominance of the US dollar in global trade, proposing the use of alternative currencies to reduce reliance on the US currency.
• 😀 BRICS not only strengthens economic ties but also serves as a geopolitical shield for its members, allowing them to resist Western political pressures.
• 😀 The rise of BRICS signals a move towards a multipolar world order, where no single country dominates, marking a shift from the historical influence of the United States, particularly in the Middle East and other global conflicts.

Q & A

What is the BRICS alliance and when was it established?

The BRICS alliance is an economic and geopolitical group consisting of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. It was first formed in 2009 with the aim of fostering cooperation in economic, political, and social domains among its member countries.

How has BRICS expanded since its formation?

BRICS has expanded over the years, first including South Africa in 2011, and later growing in 2024 with the addition of countries like Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates. By January 2025, nine new countries, including Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, and others, were confirmed as official BRICS partners.

How does BRICS challenge the dominance of Western countries, particularly the United States?

BRICS challenges Western dominance by offering a new, multipolar framework that reduces dependency on Western economic and financial systems, particularly by proposing alternatives to the U.S. dollar in global trade. This is seen as an effort to shift the global power balance away from the U.S. and the G7 countries.

What economic impact does BRICS have globally?

BRICS countries represent half of the global population and account for over a third of global oil production. They have surpassed G7 nations in global GDP based on purchasing power parity, reflecting a shift in economic power from the West to the South.

How does China contribute to the BRICS alliance's influence?

China, as the largest economy in BRICS, contributes through its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which expands its influence by building infrastructure across Asia, Africa, and Europe. This strengthens China's position as a global economic hub.

What role does India play in BRICS?

India, with its large population and rapidly growing economy, plays a key role in BRICS. It contributes to the alliance's economic growth through its expanding tech sector, infrastructure investments, and large domestic market.

Why is Russia significant to BRICS despite facing Western sanctions?

Russia remains an important player in BRICS due to its vast energy resources, including oil and natural gas. Despite Western sanctions, Russia continues to be a critical energy supplier, which strengthens its influence within BRICS, especially in energy cooperation with other member countries.

What is the BRICS strategy regarding the U.S. dollar?

BRICS aims to reduce its reliance on the U.S. dollar by using alternative currencies for trade among member states. This strategy is intended to provide greater economic flexibility and reduce the pressure from Western financial systems.

How does BRICS serve as a geopolitical counterbalance to the West?

BRICS provides a platform for its members to strengthen their geopolitical ties, especially as countries like Russia use the alliance to maintain global connections despite Western sanctions. The group helps members assert their sovereignty and economic independence from Western pressures.

What is the significance of the U.S. support for Israel in relation to BRICS?

The U.S. support for Israel is a symbol of its longstanding geopolitical strategy to maintain influence in the Middle East. This stance contrasts with BRICS's growing efforts to challenge Western dominance and promote a more multipolar global order, especially as the U.S. continues to back Israel amid international criticism.