(iPoster) The Determinants of Prospective BRICS Accession

• In Event: Poster Session: International Collaboration Section

Abstract

The BRICS is a group originally comprising institutionally diverse countries: some authoritaria n, others democratic. Theoretically, institutional heterogeneity should act as a barrier to intergovernmental cooperation. However, we contend that the original members have been on a path to becoming more authoritarian and economically interdependent, effectively forming a more homogeneous group. Given the group's overarching success, highlighted by its expansion in 2024, and recent global trends of democratic backsliding, we ask: "What are the main determinants identifying potential member countries for the BRICS?" We answer this question by collecting novel data on all countries that expressed interest in joining the organization. We hypothesize that countries that (1) are more authoritarian, (2) are experiencing greater democratic backsliding, and (3) are becoming economically interdependent with BRICS memvers are more likely to seek membership. Beyond offering a first descriptive account of countries that requested and successfully joined the BRICS, the study uncovers the underlying mechanisms behind interest in and accession to the organization. Our hypotheses suggest that membership is shaped by a selection effect, favoring countries that are more authoritarian and economically closer to China, Russia, India, Brazil, and South Africa.

Authors

• Giuseppe Peressotti, The University of Texas at Dallas

• Minh Dao, University of Texas at Dallas

• Kelvin Chun-Man Chan, University of Texas at Dallas

• Sadman Shafiq, University of Texas at Dallas