The Burdens of Multilateral Engagement and Club Diplomacy for Middle-Income Countries: The Case of South Africa in the BRICS and the G-20

Image: Flickr, Flowcomm
Image: Flickr, Flowcomm

South Africa is a member of both the G-20 and the BRICS, which is a significant positioning for the country’s global strategy.

This further enhances the country’s weight as Africa’s powerhouse. This membership occurs at a time when global governance is in a sustained state of flux, with no discernible leadership anchorage. As a middle power, and as the only African country represented in these groups, South Africa faces the double challenge of trying to reconcile its own individual interests with the often broadly defined, ‘African interests’ within the G-20 and the BRICS, as well as being able to pursue a strategic approach to issues and taking positions that enhance South African interests.

Such approach demands well-articulated foreign policy objectives on the part of South Africa. Given that all the BRICS members are also members of the G-20, there is also the question of how well South Africa uses its BRICS membership to advance its positions in the G-20. This paper explores the political economy of South Africa’s membership of both the G-20 and the BRICS. South Africa’s approach and positions on major issues such as finance and food security are analysed. Further, the paper looks at the potential linkages between the G-20 and the BRICS in their evolving agenda.

The views expressed in this publication/article are those of the author/s and do not necessarily reflect the views of the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA).

18 Dec 2012