YEREVAN, Armenia — The American University of Armenia College of Humanities and Social Sciences is pleased to announce the publication of an article by Dr. Uroš Prokić, former program chair of the Master of Public Affairs and Master of Arts in International Relations and Diplomacy programs, and Dr. Asbed Kotchikian, associate professor, in Third World Quarterly. The journal publishes leading research in the field of international studies, examining issues, policy debates, and development discourses that affect the Global South.
This collaborative piece of scholarship, entitled “Informal Governance and the Global South: Legacies of the Non-Aligned Movement, Prospects of BRICS,” explores the influence of non-Western informal intergovernmental organizations (IIGOs) in providing alternative and more flexible platforms for cooperation in addressing pressing global governance challenges.
The study adopts a comparative approach to examine the role and impact of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and BRICS in shaping global governance trends related to development. While similarities between NAM and BRICS are evident — particularly in the heterogeneity of their memberships and their commitment to multilateralism — important differences also emerge. Exploring the varying levels of institutionalization of these two IIGOs, the authors argue how these two examples of south-south cooperation have had very distinct impacts on the global governance landscape.
By contextualizing these organizations within their respective international environments (Cold War for NAM and the current international system for BRICS), the study highlights NAM’s and BRICS’ differing purposes, strategies, and relative successes in challenging the dominant world order of their time.
“This collaboration is the culmination of over two years of research that began with our participation in a conference on BRICS,” said Dr. Kotchikian. “While working on the project, both Dr. Prokić and I had to balance historical developments with current political dynamics. What made the research and the writing more challenging is the constant and fluid changes in the current international system. Perhaps it is precisely because of these challenges and the constant realignments in the international political system, that our research — and the research of others working on similar topics and fields — becomes more policy relevant by helping bridge the gap between academia and policy-making.”
Dr. Prokić noted, “I am privileged to have had the opportunity to collaborate with Dr. Kotchikian on this research project. Our article is a product of both our personal friendship and professional scholarly respect.”
He added, reflecting on the study, “This comparative analysis derives from a shared curiosity concerning the historical development of south-south cooperation and its potential to challenge the global governance order. Being among the first to highlight the differing levels of institutionalization of IIGOs, we compare NAM to BRICS across several dimensions: (a) ideological coherence; (b) political governance; (c) security cooperation; (d) financial and trade integration; and (e) socialization. Our findings suggest that while similarities between NAM and BRICS abound, stark differences have serious repercussions on their respective abilities to challenge the existing balance of power. The conclusions of this research have wider implications when considering informal governance on a spectrum (rather than a category) and assessing the ascent of the Global South as a serious contender in the international arena.”
Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia (AUA) is a private, independent university located in Yerevan, Armenia, affiliated with the University of California, and accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission in the United States. AUA provides local and international students with Western-style education through top-quality undergraduate and graduate degree and certificate programs, promotes research and innovation, encourages civic engagement and community service, and fosters democratic values.