The role of the BRIC in Africa's development: drivers and strategies
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Date
2016
Authors
Soko, Mills
Qobo, Mzukisi
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Faculty of Humanities, University of the Free State
Abstract
National interest still trumps friendship in international relations. The notions of solidarity that were
popular among developing countries in the 1950s and the 1960s have no resonance in 21st century
diplomacy, which is largely driven by commercial considerations. Many developing countries still view
the advent of rising powers – some of whom were part of the Third World movement that arrayed itself
to counter imperialism – as offering promise for development progress. Taking an analytic assessment
of the BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India and China) countries’ role in Africa’s development, this article
argues that such hopes are misguided. BRIC countries are not primarily driven by Africa’s development
concerns, but are seeking to fulfil their own commercial interests, as well as use Africa as an avenue
for shoring up their international legitimacy and credibility. The article arrives at this conclusion by
examining how each of the BRIC countries implements its commercial and diplomatic strategies on the
African continent. South Africa is excluded from this analysis as the focus of the article is on how the
non-African members of the BRICS formation pursue their diplomatic and commercial strategies on the
African continent.
Description
Keywords
BRIC countries, Drivers, Development, Strategies, Africa
Citation
Soko, M., & Qobo, M. (2016). The role of the BRIC in Africa's development: drivers and strategies. Journal for Contemporary History, 41(1), 80-102.