Quantum Social Theory for Contemporary Political Phenomena: The Becoming Identity of BRICS+

This dissertation introduces quantum social theory to explain the becoming identity of BRICS+. Building on Wendt’s quantum social mind and Barad’s onto-epistemological agential realism, the dissertation applies a diffractive methodology framework on BRICS+ summits declarations, as the primary source of analysis. The dissertation treats identity not as a fixed essence (or aiming to) but as a process of becoming, continuously enacted through performative statements in summit declarations. Using quantum concepts such as uncertainty, superposition, and momentary collapse of identity, the thesis demonstrated that the becoming identity of BRICS+ is performed within intra-acted diffracted patterns, within agential cuts, in a moment of temporality. It concludes that quantum social theory provides a more nuanced framework for understanding the ambiguity of the becoming identity of BRICS+.