Is the Global Liberal Order on the Brink of Collapse in the Face of Rising Powers? Norm Contestation by the BRICS Countries

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Introduction
• Research question and interest
• Definition and operationalisation
• Procedure and structure of the work
• Theoretical foundations
• Norms as a constructivist research programme
• Definition of norms
• Overview of norm research
• Contested nature of norms
• Contestation and the dual quality of standards
• Types of norm contestation
• Conditionality norm
• Constructivist model of the conditionality norm
• Background: The conditionality norm as a historical legacy since Bretton Woods
• Research gap: non-Western agency as a blind spot in norms research
• Rising powers in research on resistance to norms
• Rising powers as agents of resistance
• Norm contestation by non-Western rising powers
• Research design and methodological approach
• Research question and objective
• Case selection
• Analytical approach and period of investigation
• Operationalisation
• Data collection and analysis
• Data collection
• Qualitative content analysis
• Dealing with quality criteria of qualitative research
• BRICS within the current global economic governance
• Background: The Rise of BRICS
• BRICS' vision of order in global economic governance
• Perception of the prevailing order
• BRICS' self-assigned role as a pioneer in the global economy
• Elements of a BRICS' vision of order in global economic governance
• Interim conclusion: positioning of the BRICS in global economic governance
• BRICS as contester of the conditionality norm
• Conditionality contestation by BRICS in international institutions
• G20
• IMF
• Conditionality contestation by BRICS over time
• 2009-2013
• 2014-2021
• Behavioural contestation of conditionality
• Accumulation of total reserves
• Discursive references to accumulation of total reserves in the G20
• Discursive references to accumulation of total reserves in the IMF
• BRICS' foundation of alternative institutions
• Discursive references to BRICS' foundation of alternative institutions in the G20
• Discursive references to BRICS' foundation of alternative institutions in the IMF
• Discussion of the results and conclusions
• Key theoretical argument
• Recap: Applying norm contestation to BRICS and conditionality
• Conditionality contestation by BRICS in international institutions
• Conditionality contestation by BRICS over time
• Behavioural contestation of conditionality
• Theoretical implications for norms research
• Types of norm contestation
• Directions of norm contestation and contextual factors
• Justice conflicts as a driving force of norm contestation
• Empirical implications for research
• Practical implications for dealing with norm-contesting rising powers
• Outlook for future research

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This Master's thesis explores the potential collapse of the global liberal order in the face of rising powers, specifically focusing on the BRICS countries. The research examines norm contestation, particularly the conditionality norm, as a significant factor in the ongoing struggle between established powers and emerging economies.

• The role of norms in international relations and the constructivist approach to norms research
• The contested nature of norms and the various types of norm contestation
• The conditionality norm as a historical legacy and its implications for global economic governance
• The agency of rising powers in challenging existing norms and the specific case of the BRICS countries
• The theoretical and practical implications of norm contestation for international relations and global governance.

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

The introduction sets the stage for the research, outlining the research question and the significance of the topic. It defines key concepts and introduces the structure of the thesis. Chapter 2 delves into the theoretical foundations of norms research, focusing on the constructivist approach and the contested nature of norms. It provides a detailed analysis of the conditionality norm, exploring its historical development and its relevance in the context of global economic governance. The chapter concludes by highlighting the research gap regarding the agency of non-Western actors in norms research.

Chapter 3 explores the role of rising powers in resisting established norms, specifically examining the BRICS countries as agents of norm contestation. It discusses their perspective on the existing global order and their aspirations for a more equitable and multipolar world. Chapter 4 outlines the research design and methodological approach employed in the study. It details the case selection, analytical approach, and data collection methods used to investigate the conditionality norm contestation by the BRICS countries. The chapter also addresses the operationalization of key concepts and the quality criteria employed in qualitative research.

Chapter 5 examines the BRICS countries within the current global economic governance framework. It explores their emergence as a significant economic force and their vision for a new order in global economic governance. Chapter 6 focuses on the specific instances of the BRICS countries challenging the conditionality norm in international institutions, particularly the G20 and IMF. It analyzes their actions and discourse over time, highlighting key areas of contestation and their strategic approaches. This chapter also examines the accumulation of total reserves by the BRICS countries and their initiatives to establish alternative institutions.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

The primary focus of this thesis lies in the realm of international relations, specifically exploring norm contestation, the conditionality norm, and the agency of rising powers, particularly the BRICS countries. The thesis draws on constructivist theories of norms and analyzes empirical evidence to understand how the BRICS countries challenge established norms in global economic governance. Key concepts include conditionality, norm contestation, BRICS, global economic governance, and rising powers.