The role of political power in integration processes

Abstract

This article examines political power as a factor influencing interstate integration relations. The main emphasis is on how the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the Eurasian Economic Union, and BRICS+ function in the context of post-global trends. The authors try to clarify the roles of political power in post-global integration processes considering contemporary geopolitical and geostrategic shifts. Given the global challenges of transnationalization based on Western technocratic dominance in the worldwide market, world powers - important geopolitical centers - are proposing new integration strategies to protect their national interests. As an example, we can note the actions taken by the BRICS+ alliance, which seeks to strengthen a multipolar world and lessen reliance on international Western financial and economic systems. In these situations, political power plays a crucial role in integration by creating coordinated strategies to protect national interests and preserve political and economic stability. Political authorities' actions are a systemic factor that affects how participants interact as well as how stable associations are in the face of global challenges. At the same time, its function aims to guarantee the long-term growth of the countries that are members of different integration associations.