The Rise of Middle Powers in Global Governance: Comparative Analysis of the European Union, India, and Brazil

This paper examined how the European Union, India, and Brazil exercised middlepower diplomacy to shape global governance between 2010 and 2025. Using qualitative content analysis of institutional documents, multilateral declarations, and academic literature, the study explored how these actors combine coalition building, normative engagement, and institutional participation to sustain influence within a multipolar order. The findings showed that the European Union projected regulatory and normative leadership through rule-based frameworks, India maintained strategic autonomy through multi-alignment, and Brazil advanced South–South cooperation, emphasizing equity and institutional reform. Despite differences in structure and capacity, all three relied on legitimacy and coalition credibility rather than coercion. The analysis demonstrated that middle powers collectively contribute to stability by reinforcing inclusive, rule-based multilateralism. The paper concluded that the evolving convergence of middle-power strategies reflects an adaptive model of influence that privileges negotiation, shared governance, and normative credibility over material dominance. These insights enhance understanding of non-hegemonic leadership and the future of the multilateral order.