The evolution of soft balancing in informal institutions: the case of BRICS
Journal: International Affairs
Year: 2024

Abstract The concept of soft balancing emerged in 2005 to analyse how states engage in non-military balancing against the United States. By 2025, soft balancing has become extensively discussed in the context of BRICS, which has evolved from a loose grouping of diverse powers into an active, complex and rapidly growing entity. However, scholars remain divided on the nature and drivers of soft balancing within BRICS. How has BRICS developed into a robust soft balancing coalition? This article use