Yeah I did mention that it is a mess. You don't even have a single entity that can be trusted by all partners. That itself makes it seem like a non starter but reminder: Just the threat of it existing is still something that can put pressure on the west and it may affect some sort of change against the west long term. The world would be even better off if there was some other democratic power that could provide balance by matching the US but thats not happening so this is what we have.
Thinking long term, there has got to be some sort of mechanism for the non western world to move forward. Right now if you are on the losing side of the western backed global order, you have no hope. Thats a large chunk of the planet. They have a right to at least try to compete in every category including reserve currency.
The "west" vs "non-west" lens is not a valid lens to use and is very reductive.
Use the regional/middle power lens instead.
Every country wants their own strategic autonomy, and is jockeying to build their specific niche.
Relations with the "West" are used as a way to further enhance their own regional autonomy or even graduate to great power status.
Ik on Reddit you guys keep trying to talk about some sort of weird global strategy of a BRICS-West split but it's just utter and complete bullshit, as every member in BRICS, SCO, and other similar organizations are trying to blunt each other due to ambitions.
A "West" versus "Non-west" lens just isn't the primary lens used by decisionmakers in non-Western countries.
>Every country wants their own strategic autonomy, and is jockeying to build their specific niche.
Of course every country acts in its own interests. I didn't say otherwise. I even made mention of this being a reason for why BRIS is likely to fail. That does not mean it shouldn't be tried.
>Relations with the "West" are used as a way to further enhance their own regional autonomy or even graduate to great power status.
Lets be frank, other than maybe China, there isn't any other "great power" than the US. All the other western states are quiet vassals of the US. We saw this most recently with the Netherlands and their blocking of ASML exports to satisfy the US. Ok yes the US help build ASML into what it is but at the same time when the US says jump, the dutch say how high? No one can really tell the US to get lost. Except maybe China one day. And that presents an opportunity for all the smaller nations that are looking for a deal with the US. They can now play the US off with China. Small countries know they will get screwed either way but they can at least get a better deal than they could otherwise. Countries like Iran that are on the wrong side of the US may collapse in the long run because their systems just aren't conducive to long term stability but in the meantime dealing with China might give their people a leg up in terms of economic exchange. Ditto for every other country not aligned with the US.
Again BRICS will likely fail but it existing could be the first step to something different in the future.
Thinking long term, there has got to be some sort of mechanism for the non western world to move forward. Right now if you are on the losing side of the western backed global order, you have no hope. Thats a large chunk of the planet. They have a right to at least try to compete in every category including reserve currency.