Leading the disenfranchised or joining the establishment? India, Brazil, and the UN Security Council

Resumo

This paper compares Brazil’s and India’s strategy to obtain a permanent seat on the UN Security Council and the implications this has for both countries’ identities. On the one hand, Brazil and India align with developing nations and jointly press for more inclusive global governance. On the other hand, critics have pointed out that Brazil’s attempt to enter the UN Security Council as a permanent member is not entirely about democratizing the UN, but rather about creating an “expanded oligarchy”. This article seeks to better understand the nature of this dilemma, comparing how both countries deal with this transition.