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Abstract
Institutions are frequently thought of as ‘socialising’ member states into pre-established norms. However, this influence is not necessarily a one-way street; members can also affect institutions, whether individually or collectively. This article analyses the behaviour of two emerging powers – Brazil and China – within the field of international development. What roles have these two states played in shaping global development norms? The article examines the key motivations, positions, and initiatives taken by Brazil and China, with special reference to the UN development system (unds). Whereas Brazil and China’s early behaviour within the unds diverged significantly, in the post-cold war period both have become increasingly interested in – and capable of – influencing UN norms. However, despite greater involvement in UN development negotiations, these countries’ leverage in normative debates originates outside of the unds, through their South–South cooperation programmes. The current diversification of platforms through which the norms of international development are negotiated may enhance the influence of emerging powers, although their ability to channel this influence effectively will depend on their capacity for norm entrepreneurship, rather than mere norm blocking.
Notes
1. Finnemore, National Interest.
2. Johnston, Social States.
3. Wuthnow et al., “Diverse Multilateralism.”
4. See Checkel, “International Institutions”; and Ikenberry, “The Rise of China.”
5. Wang, “Multilateralism in Chinese Foreign Policy.”
6. Hart and Jones. “How do Emerging powers Rise?”
7. Pu, “Socialisation.”
8. Agence France-Presse, “Emerging China, Brazil and India.”
9. Fues et al., “The Role of the UN.”
10. Sunstein, “Social Norms and Social Roles.”
11. Cervo and Bueno, História da Política Exterior do Brasil.
12. Ibid.
13. Cardoso and Faletto, Dependency and Development.
14. Cabral, “Brazil’s Development Cooperation.”
15. Fonseca, Jr., O Brasil no Conselho de Segurança da onu.
16. Kim, China.
17. Global Policy Forum, “Changing Patterns.”
18. Sen, “A New Stage.”
19. Kim, “China and the UN”; and Shen, In the Mood for Multilateralism?
20. “China’s Principles in Foreign Aid.”
21. UN General Assembly, “General Assembly Resolution Global Negotiations related to International Economic Co-operation and Development.” 34/138, December 14, 1979. http://www.un.org/documents/ga/res/34/a34res138.pdf.
22. Sen, “A New Stage.”
23. See, for instance, Statement by Ambassador Wang Min at the 2014 Substantive Session of ecosoc, February 26, 2014.
24. Zhao Ziyang, “Government Work Report to the Fourth Session.”
25. Sen, “A New Stage.”
26. Fullilove, The Stakeholder Spectrum.
27. World Bank, “Results Profile.”
28. Statement by Hu Jintao at the UN Summit, New York, September 15, 2005. http://www.un.org/webcast/summit2005/statements15/china050915eng.pdf.
29. Stewart, “UN Short nearly $5bn”; and Agence France-Presse, “Emerging China, Brazil and India.”
30. African Development Bank Group, “China.”
31. Xu, “Speech.”
32. Wheeler, “A Reluctant Leader?”
33. Fullilove, The Stakeholder Spectrum.
34. unfccc, “Statement by China.”