Ada Romero

Introduction to Global Studies Seminar 3

8-11-2016

THE BRICS
ANALYSIS OF A REGION / ORGANIZATION / GROUP OF COUNTRIES

To be able to achieve a more comprehensive and exhaustive knowledge of our reality or

to achieve a more practical management of certain issues, we tend to group several
countries in the same region that normally have similar characteristics. The BRICS are a
really good example that illustrates this phenomenon: its a group of five countries that
were put into the same group by a British scholar (Jim ONeill) and then joined together
as a cooperative entity. Thus, the aim of this essay is to analyze the nature and the main
features of these countries and for a further understanding- compare it with another
region or group of countries.
To do so, we will resort to the categorization of regions made by Robert C. Ostergren and
Mathias Le Boss. These two authors have stablished three different categories, which
are: instituted regions, naively perceived regions and denoted regions. In the following
pages we will examine each of the characteristics of these types of regions and try to fit
the BRICS into one of the three labels.
To begin with, an instituted region is created by authorities for instance, the state or a
religious organization to make organization easier; it is recognized, has clear boundaries
and its organized in a hierarchical way (Ostergre, Le Boss, 2004). Having said this,
even though they are internationally recognized and have clear boundaries, we can state
that the BRICS at a first glance- dont quite fit in this category. Regarding their creation,
the term was first used by Jim ONeill, but the four countries didnt gather until 2006;
this first meeting could be considered as created by authorities as the four governments
decided to join for a certain purpose. Nevertheless, their main aim was not making
organization easier; this was to achieve a better representation in the world-system. We
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Ada Romero

Introduction to Global Studies Seminar 3

8-11-2016

could state that the creation of the BRICS not speaking about the coining of the concept
by ONeill but about the meeting of the four countries- had an ideological background
(often considered as conservative), as they agreed to help each other because they
believed that they could exert more power in the financial system than they were allowed.
Thus, their purpose went beyond a practical issue such as organization: they were trying
to find their place in the capitalist system. Moreover, it couldnt be said that their formal
organization is hierarchical because their activity is restricted to annual meetings where
all five countries meet in the same conditions. In spite of this, some of the countries have
a more important position within the group because of their large growth rate; for instance,
China.
Secondly, a naively perceived region is created informally, meaning that its a social
construction and a popular recognition that creates a certain sense of community or, in
some occasions, even nationhood (Ostergre, Le Boss, 2004).. The BRICS would not be
suitable for this category owing to the fact that it wasnt created as a result of a social
cohesion, but as a result of the agreement of the four members governments.
To finish, a denoted region as its name points out- is created by scholars to explain in a
more understandable way the present reality. Usually, they have no independent existence,
they share common characteristics and occupy a limited space (Ostergre, Le Boss, 2004).
Consequently, the BRICS could be labeled as a denoted region since the term was coined
by Jim ONeill as mentioned before- in 2001 in a Goldman Sachs report and has been
frequently used since then; even if they are not located in the same geographic area.
Despite this we have to bear in mind the history of the group: the term was first used in
2001 by the British scholar, but it wasnt until 2006 that the four founding members meet
for the first time. Therefore, they dont meet one of the characteristics of a denoted region:

Ada Romero

Introduction to Global Studies Seminar 3

8-11-2016

they do have an independent existence since they meet once every year and they have
signed a bounding agreement (2014).
Having analyzed the main features of the BRICS we can claim that it is very difficult to
label this group due to their unique characteristics. Even though they meet most of the
characteristics of a denoted region the term doesnt entirely define them. Nevertheless,
we could try to stablish the most suitable category for them: in their origins, they could
have been labeled as a denoted region; whereas now although it has been rejected earlierthe BRICS could be labeled as an instituted region. This category would be the one that
could explain better the nature of the five-member group despite the fact that their
objective doesnt quite match with the theoretic description.
As mentioned before, we will compare the BRICS with another region or organization to
accomplish a better understanding of the topic concerning us. One of the best matches for
this group could be the Maghreb. In the next paragraphs we will see why.
In the first place, it is also difficult to label this regions since the term has been used to
put together five countries (Lybia, Morrocco, Mauritania, Tunisia, and Algeria) which,
according to many scholars, have similar characteristics. It is said that they belong in the
same group due to their common language, religion, history and geographical features
(territory and population); this is similar to the discourse used for the BRICS: they share
similar economic characteristics. However, recent criticism has pointed out that within
the two groups there are also many differences: in the Maghreb the economic resources
and their specialization differs from one another; the same happens with the BRICS that
have an uneven growing rate as China has grown at a much higher speed and,
subsequently, has a better position in the global arena.

Ada Romero

Introduction to Global Studies Seminar 3

8-11-2016

In other words, both groups have been considered a denoted region because the term that
defines them was created only taking into account the common characteristics of the
countries.
In contrast, they could also be labeled as an instituted region. This is because they have
an independent existence beyond the academic term. In 1989 and 2006, the Maghreb
countries and the BRICs started to meet on a regular basis. Moreover, their objective is
also similar: economic support. The Arab Maghreb Union intends to establish a free trade
market to strengthen their position in the global economic system. Meanwhile, the BRICS
main aim is to gain power in the world financial system.
Despite this there are some differences: the Arab Maghreb Union is a much more
consolidated organization that has a concrete purpose and objective whereas the BRICS
hold annual meetings with the only objective of discussing common interests. The AMU
also has a well-organized organigram with internal institutions that the BRICS lack. Yet,
we have to bear in mind that the relationship between the BRICS countries has been
considerably less agitated than the AMUs relationship as they have had several
confrontation between the members.
In addition, the BRICS ideology is a mentioned before- conservative since they claim to
be part of the current global system, implying that they agree with it and want to
perpetuate it. Contrary to this view, the AMU countries have expressed their disagreement
through the commonly known as Arab Spring. While the BRICS have a good position
(speaking in relative terms) in the world economy and they want the system to continue
working as it is, the AMU countries have one of the worst situations in the world and,
consequently, they demand a change.

Ada Romero

Introduction to Global Studies Seminar 3

8-11-2016

To sum everything up, the BRICS are a group of countries that can be considered as an
instituted region even though many of their characteristics matches that of a denoted
regions. Moreover, they have many features in common with the Arab Maghreb Union
as they can both be considered at the same time instituted and denoted regions.
REFERENCES
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Ostergren, Robert C. , Le Boss, Mathias (2004). Introduction: Europe as a

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A Geography of People, Culture, and Environment (p. 1-32). New York. The
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Lainz, Oscar, Serra, Mireia, Moreno, Laia (2016). The Maghreb. 6/11/2016.
https://maghrebregion.wordpress.com/

Mrquez, Carla, Roca, Martina (2016). The Arab Maghreb Union. 6/11/2016.
http://1989uma.blogspot.com.es/

Valls,

Helena,

Romero,

Ada

http://thebriccountries.blogspot.com.es/

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The

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6/11/2016.