Da interação à construção de identidades: os Brics e a reforma do Conselho de Segurança das Nações Unidas (CSNU)

Abstract

This dissertation examines the role of the BRICS in the reform of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), especially the different positions of its members. While China and Russia are permanent members of the UNSC, Brazil, India and South Africa are strong aspirants for a seat. By analyzing the BRICS Summit Declarations and the positions of China and Russia in the debates on UN reform, the aim is to understand whether the identities and interests of the BRICS, especially Russia and China, converge in favor of UNSC reform. Agents' identities and interests are defined through social interaction. Thus, even with divergent interests and identities, intra-BRICS interaction inevitably creates collective identities and interests, which can influence individual identities and interests. The general hypothesis is that the differences in identity between BRICS members highlight the strategic alignment between China and Russia, which preceded the creation of BRICS. Thus, despite the manifestation within the annual BRICS summits and the convergence of a critique of the multilateral system, predominantly dominated by the West, China and Russia are not willing to give up their current position within the UNSC in an attempt to bring about reform and make room for their BRICS partners. The research shows that the BRICS interaction process has had very little influence on the identities of these countries with regard to reform. Even the permanent members, despite their long-standing partnership, have not consistently aligned their positions in the reform debate.