We are at a historic turning point in terms of the power struggle in the international political system. The two devastating World Wars and the Cold War were major turning points in the twentieth century; however, in terms of shaking the power of “Western supremacy,” a very important undercurrent in the development of global politics, these developments did not have a significant impact.
World War I was largely a war between Western powers, and in its aftermath, the military and economic supremacy of the West continued to grow. World War II was also largely fought between Western powers and ended in the defeat of the challengers. Russia, one of the traditional European powers, challenged the United States and Western Europe under the Soviet regime during the Cold War, which also ended in defeat. It is generally accepted the current challenge to Western supremacy is a development that needs to be taken more seriously in terms of ending nearly 250 years of Western dominance.
If we look at where this challenge is coming from, Asia is clearly at the forefront, but Latin America and Africa have also raised objections to a global political system that reflects Western domination, albeit not as strongly. Let us examine the place of the BRICS, which brings together actors from these three continents, in the U.S.- and European-led international system; their challenge to this system; and the disadvantages they face in doing so.
Read more on Politics Today: Can BRICS Challenge the Global Political System?
