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But because of internal and external factors, such as the differences among BRICS countries, the faltering economies in many of the member countries and the U.S.' quantitative easing policies, the West was not optimistic about the development of the BRICS. Some economists even predicted that the BRICS would soon disappear from the global village. If things turn out that way, the United States wouldn't have been bothered.

However, the economic difficulties have turned out to be an opportunity for BRICS countries, as there is huge potential for them to work and develop together to protect domestic interests and mitigate the impact of global financial crises.

But the mutually beneficial policies and the amicable and peaceful diplomatic strategies among the BRICS countries have nothing to do with the "balance of power," an international relations theory which seeks an equilibrium in the balance of power between rival coalitions. BRICS countries intend in no ways to counteract the U.S. by establishing a coalition.

There are several reasons why the "balance of power" paradigm no longer fits modern international relations.

First, the world is composed of a superpower -- the United States -- and a number of big powers. And the big powers, such as Europe and Japan, are all directed under the dominance of the United States. Therefore, it is very unlikely that BRICS, a much weaker organization, will challenge the power of the United States.

Second, the advent of nuclear weapons makes military coalitions and confrontation outdated. The late American political scientist Kenneth Waltz said the proliferation of the nuclear weapons has dramatically increased the cost of wars, to the extent that it actually reduces the probability of wars. Therefore, even if the BRICS countries reach a consensus, they would not be willing to confront the United States.

Last but not least, instead of building a coalition against the United States, China is enhancing its economic ties with other emerging economies.

During Chinese President Xi Jinping's ongoing visit to Latin America, he chose Venezuela, an oil exporting country; Argentina, an agricultural country; and Brazil, known for its agricultural products and minerals, as his destinations, to respond to domestic demand for the natural resources amid China's rapid development.

All in all, the recent BRICS summit in Latin America was not a diplomatic coalition against the United States. It demonstrated the resolution of BRICS members to cooperate with each other, based on the principles of mutual respect and mutual benefit, in order to revive the global economy, after it was hit by the global financial crisis.

The author is a Ph.D. student in Politics from Boston University.

This article was translated by Wu Jin. Its original unabridged version was published in Chinese.

Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn.

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