A geopolitics of trade between different economic corners of the earth can make sense, in the light of David Ricardo's comparative advantage. Trade is always preferable to war, and the BRICS can explore mutual bargains. And, South Africa, was missing in the ensemble of bricks and mortar. All kinds of techno-economic co-operation facilitate peace as more people can engage in economic action.

Dear Stephen,

It´s a wonderful point of view.

Thank you.

South Africa is arguably not in the same league economically as the other BRIC countries. It seemingly came in partly as a result of common political purpose with Brasil in particular. But then BRICS is geo-political as much (or even more than) as an economic configuration.

What is your view?

Dear Munck,

In fact, I am trying to have a "point of view". I do not have one till now.

I study Economic Development and I live in Brazil, so I decided to research about BRICS ways to development. and I am constructing my view about each one of them.

This question - exactly - was formulated because one article of Economist that I´ve readen and could not believe (https://www.economist.com/blogs/economist-explains/2013/03/economist-explains-why-south-africa-brics). So, I decided to try to hear from BRICS population what do they think.

The frase I could not believe is: " There was just one problem with the BRICs: no African countries were included. This was a little embarrassing. Overlooking Africa suggested that the continent was an economic irrelevance, good only for providing raw materials to the rest. It also cast doubt on the group’s claim to speak for the emerging world. Two African countries might have been candidates, Nigeria and South Africa. But only one would keep the acronym intact. And so, in 2010, the club of BRICs became the BRICS. "

What would you say?

BRICS are doing good work on environment and climate change issues. I guess it will take sometime to graduate it to an entity like G-7 on a shared paradigm by working together intensively. People shouldn't be too cynical on a very important initiative like BRICKS.It has a bright future as an institutional mechanism for global collective action.

In any case, BRICS (with or without South Africa) is a theoretical construct putting together counties of very different development dynamics and structural characteristics. The only common element is that they are all big. If we really want to understand how our world is shaped, we have to consider "non-BRICS" emerging markets, too. And here I do not mind if we refer to economies covered by new acronyms (such as the second most popular CIVETS) or not. In fact, a too orthodox use of acronyms may hinder our analysis because we would be limited to the countries that are included in them.

Dear Dr Benugopal,

I totally agree with you that " BRICS are doing good work on environment and climate change issues" and even more that it will be so much more important in the near future.

Thank you for your attention and opinion.

Prof. A. Hess

Dear Dr Kalman,

Liked very much your answer. I´m going to comment every step:

I agree that "BRICS (with or without South Africa) is a theoretical construct putting together counties of very different development dynamics and structural characteristics. The only common element is that they are all big." However, the geopolitical role of this group seems to be growing in importance to me, more than a demographical question.

But you are right again saying that "If we really want to understand how our world is shaped, we have to consider "non-BRICS" emerging markets, too."

Completely agree. No questions about it!

And, more than ever, you are right again referring to "economies covered by new acronyms (such as the second most popular CIVETS) or not."

I would say that exaggerating in use of acronyms may limit to the countries that are included in them. And the world is bigger than that.

Thank you very much. I appreciated hearing (reading) your valuable opinion.

Prof. A. Hess

I think the key letter in the BRICS acronym is "C" for China. We need not add much. If it is a vehicle, geopolitical or economic, China is the engine, and the others the wheels. I hope few would disagree with this humble submission.

Dear Steve,

Liked your comment, and would like to share some more points of view with you.

I understand and fully respect your point of view, and agree that China is the engine.

However, I disagree when you say that " We need not add much".

I believe in different roles for every BRICS, don´t you?

Maybe, we can´t preview if India´s demography will be enough to make India one of the greatest economies of the world, but it could!

We can not state that Brazil is going to grow in size and productivity to be as important as it could be, but it could!

Russia is already powerful. And it´s going to become even more just a few years ahead, orienting its human capital and technology.

South Africa did one of the most brilliant changes in its society last century. And I have great expectations about SA people. I don´t know exactly the way they will pursue, but I feel that something is going to born soon.

Am I wrong in your oppinion?

Prof.

Thanks. I agree with your basic premise. However, China not able to sway its economic prowess sufficiently in global fora (notably the Bretton Woods institutions) needed a vehicle of is own. It was able to garner support from the other "letters" who are also fellow aspirants in their regions. Some would argue though that South Africa, with less than 40 million people (with all due respect to its technical advancement and political rebirth) was not quite the representative that the Africa continent expected--of course the founding fathers/mothers of BRICS did not consult other countries when setting up the institution. That might ultimately constrain its relevance. skm

Dear Steve,

Very well pointed. An interesting point of view, certainly.

I'll keep my eyes on what you've said.

Thank you very much.

AH

Steve

Is it not amazing BRICKS countries have taken up the initiative to set up the NDB in such a short span of time ? They are keen to rope in other nations also under its fold for lending. The Bretton Woods institutions have a long history. I guess, NDB can learn from WB and ADB in this regard towards institution building. The Bretton Woods institutions need not feel threatened by the expansion of Bricks Bank( NDB). This will be an incremental gain in global finance.

Dear Scientists,

While I work on my research projects, I share some parts with specialists to have some support and critics. I believe that it makes better the quality of my work.

Thank you to have participated actively in the discussions I proposed. Your vision is a very good contribution to me. The best way to make me a better scientist.

All the best for all of you.

AH

In my opinion, the key to the development of the BRICS is in hand, and China's power is dependent on other members of the BRICS.

Ok. It´s is your point about China, and was clear. But the question is about South Africa.