Fifteenth Global Studies Conference

Abstract

The discussion on the contemporary challenges to multilateralism, its impacts on the globalization dynamics and the consequence of its eventual decay involves several aspects related to the Global Studies field. The debate concerning the role of the international institutions bring into scene many elements of the global governance and the revising process related to the multilateral institutions scope in the international system. This issue addresses to the emergent countries and their movement towards reviewing their participation in the international arena. At this point, the rising of China and the willingness of these intermediate countries (such as Russia, India, Brazil and South Africa) to revisit their insertion on global governance and international order, led to the conformation of the BRICS. Since 2009 these countries have been seeking to coordinate strategies and economic cooperation, aiming to reach a higher level of development accompanied by a repositioning in the international arena. Despite all differences between these countries, considering their common aspirations, which strategies are being promoted to open new paths considering the set of international institutions in force? How does these issues interfere in terms of the Global Governance sphere? Would the practice of “soft power” be relevant to conduce new dynamics in the international arena? From this perspective, this paper intends to discuss how to rethink the role of the multilateral institutions as an intermediary, by the International Political Economy approach – debating which kind of measures and shapes for the international organizations, would be suitable and fit better the contemporary challenges.