Narratives to project power and ambition

Brainstorming … Write down what you have learned so far about the power of narrative in IR! approximately three key ideas

The BRICS … The BRICs acronym was coined in 2001 by Jim O‘Neill (Goldman & Sachs) for purely economic reasons “Building Better Global Economic BRICs“ 2007 follow-up report concluded that these countries could overtake the combined GDP of the G7 by the year 2035 In 2000 only China among the top ten economies (China at number six); in 2013 all of the four BRIC countries figured among the top ten economies by GDP (China at 2nd, Brazil at 6th, Russia at 9th and India at 10th) The BRICs acronym as a sign of ongoing economic change

What about politics? 2009: first BRIC summit in 2009 in Russia (Yekaterinburg) with the intention to form a common position on matters of world politics Since 2009, BRIC summits have taken place every year in another BRIC country 2011: BRIC turned into BRICS by inviting South Africa

Institutionalisation … BRICS Forum  stimulate development cooperation (culture, science, commerce, etc.) Coordination on a wide range of policy issues (terrorism, climate change, health epidemics, etc.) BRICS Development Bank  Entered into effect in 2015 (based in Shanghai) Focus on infrastructure projects

COMMON NARRATIVE Challenges … Fictional Construct Political Systems Culture Geography Political Systems COMMON NARRATIVE Fictional Construct Foreign Policy Interests

Brazil‘s emergence in global politics … Obstacles: International system dominated by “Western“ powers “creators, owners, managers, and chief beneficiaries“ of the international system (Ikenberry and Wright 2008) However … Brazil has become an important player in several areas of global politics (Health, food security and bioenergy) One important aspect: NARRATIVE

How do narratives work in global politics? BRICS finance and climate politics / 2009 BRICs Summit / Infrastructural Development BRAZIL HIV/AIDS / food security / bioenergy --QUESTIONS -- Characterise the major features of the narratives that evolved around the BRICS / Brazil? (identify, name and characterise) Explain the major functions of these narratives! Are these narratives persuasive? Explain why some are persuasive and others not so much!

(Or anything else that catches your attention!) Wander around the classroom and have a look at the different narratives! Can you find similarities / differences in the construction of these narratives? (Or anything else that catches your attention!) Write down your main thoughts!

The narratives forming around the BRICS Common “enemy“, but no common identity Diverging interests Weak linkage to moral questions / ethical principles (e.g. authoritarian regimes, etc.) Dominance of economic interests Unfavourable economic and political circumstances for the establishment of an economic / political alternative to the “West“ Obstacles to the unfolding of a powerful and persuasive narrative

and persuasive narrative Brazil‘s foreign policy narratives on food security, HIV/AIDS and bioenergy Good vs bad storyline Stronk linkage to moral questions and ethical principles (human rights) Based on convincing facts (Brazil‘s National AIDS Programme and Zero Hunger strategy) Favourable economic and political circumstances (support of IOs, CSOs, the media etc.) Conducive to the unfolding of powerful and persuasive narratives Shaping the international agenda and establishing new worldviews Questionable linkage to moral questions Facts are not completely convincing (polemical nature of Brazil‘s bioenergy Programme) much less powerful and persuasive narrative