From New York to Durban: the institutionalization process of the BRICS

Abstract

The purpose is to explain the process of institutionalization of the BRICS group, from the first meetings at the ministerial level to the Durban Summit. The central argument indicates that the development of instruments for cooperation and collaboration with low obligation, precision and delegation is related to the structure of members’ convergent preferences for greater flexibility in the implementation of commitments, greater flexibility to perform policy choices and greater independence from third parties.