The end of the pax romana was followed by centuries of trouble in Europe. The Brics nations are determined that the transition from the global pax americana to a new world order will be more successful. Thursday’s declaration after their summit in the Chinese resort of Sanya affirms that China, India, Brazil, Russia and new member South Africa will take the lead in the “development of humanity”.
The emerging powers are better placed for success than were the barbarian tribes that felled the Roman Empire. The Brics are taking advantage of valuable legacies: the tools of economic growth and what the declaration calls the “universally recognised norms of international law”. The emphasis on co-operation shows that these developing nations understand how little they have to gain from too much assertiveness.
Still, the desire to shake off the old hegemony is almost palpable. The declaration calls for a larger role for developing countries in international forums. It also condemns “the inadequacies and deficiencies” of global finance and the “excessive volatility in commodity prices”.