The BRICs Superpower Challenge

In an imaginative and interesting way, Kwang Ho Chun seeks to capture the dynamics of the changing international system and the prospects for a change in the international distribution of power. The idea that new superpowers could rise and that some of the BRICs (Brazil, Russia, India and China) could be such superpowers, is particularly intriguing and the main idea explored in this study. In line with neo-realist approaches, this book argues that in a unipolar world competitors will rise to challenge the global hegemon. As the power profiles of the BRICs rise and they gain greater control of geo-global politics, they are likely to attain significant regional dominance among other regional powers although their underdeveloped tradition of hard power and internal challenges could prevent them from gaining superpower status. This book captures the dynamics of the changing international system and the prospects for a change in the international distribution of power.

Professor Kwang Ho Chun is Deputy Vice-President for International Affairs and Dean of the Faculty of International Studies at Chonbuk National University, Korea.

Part I Background; Chapter 1 Introduction; Chapter 2 The Concept of Superpower; Part II The BRICs: Political Relations, Foreign Policy and Military Power; Chapter 3 Introduction to Part II; Chapter 4 Brazil; Chapter 5 Russia; Chapter 6 India; Chapter 7 China; Chapter 8 The BRICs and International Security; Chapter 9 Summary of Part II; Part III Projecting the Future: The BRICs Factor and Future International Power Relations; Chapter 10 Introduction to Part III; Chapter 11 Brazil; Chapter 12 Russia; Chapter 13 India; Chapter 14 China; Chapter 15 The BRICs as a Bloc: Their Collective Role in Shaping Future Geopolitics; Chapter 16 Are there Prospects of the BRICs Being the Next Superpower?; Part IV Conclusions; Chapter 17 Conclusions;