The Guardian view on Brics growing up: A new bloc seeks autonomy – and eyes a post-western order

The Brics summit in Brazil last week revealed a loose alliance of emerging powers becoming more complex - and perhaps more consequential. For Brics, heft matters. It now counts 11 member states - including Indonesia, which joined this year - representing half the world's population and 40% of the global economy, outpacing the G7 by $20tn. Yet its size hides its contradictions. The grouping's call for more inclusive global institutions sounds welcome, but there is a preponderance of autocracies within its own ranks. Brics is right that international law should be upheld in Middle Eastern conflicts. But it climbs down…