DOI: 10.3897/brics-econ.7.e156373

Authors: Muzi Shoba

Abstract: The bilateral relations between South Africa and the United States are at a crossroads. Since the apartheid era, these countries have gone through different stages of cooperation and periods of tension. Today, although they consider each other strategic partners, the two countries are facing increased diplomatic disagreements. These disagreements arise from South Africa’s growing diplomatic alignment with China, Russia and Iran, which oppose US international policies, and its active involvement in the BRICS association. This paper argues that South Africa’s cooperation with China, Russia, and other BRICS countries strongly affects the US’s perception of the country and determines its policy towards South Africa. The paper maintains that the South Africa’s case against Israel before the International Court of Justice and the passage of the Expropriation Act have strained its relations with the United States. This led to concerns regarding the future of bilateral trade agreements, such as the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). The paper is framed around constructivist theory and uses a qualitative methodology based on secondary sources. It concludes that the China-Russia-BRICS factor is central to the current diplomatic tensions between South Africa and the United States, its strategic partner.

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DOI: 10.3897/brics-econ.5.e121010

Authors: Sanela Porca-Konjikusic, Paul L. Hudson Jr., Lodha Jain Harshi

Abstract: This paper explores the realms of global economic integration by comparing the two prominent international organizations: the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Brazil, Russia, India, China, and the South Africa bloc (BRICS) and new entrants to BRICS Plus. The study examines the shared objectives, divergent approaches, and potential complementarity of these organizations. By analyzing their economic diversity, regional and global initiatives, and trade agreements, the research investigates the question of collaboration between BRICS and ASEAN organizations. This research finds a variety of economic disparities among members of both ASEAN and BRICS, a variety of investment patterns, economic policies, population and labor force dynamics, net portfolio investments, and capital flows. The paper provides a nuanced holistic analysis of ASEAN and BRICS. This article offers a unique, holistic analysis, comparing and contrasting ASEAN and BRICS countries and the nature of these two organizations. This paper includes policy recommendations related to fostering collaboration between nations in various aspects of their economies, and areas in which countries may strengthen financial ties. Knowledge of BRICS, BRICS Plus, and ASEAN gained through reading this article may enable them to decide on strategies to avoid trade barriers and may also enable them to identify countries with growth areas in various economic sectors.

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DOI: 10.3897/brics-econ.4.e111951

Authors: Wray Vamplew

Abstract: This paper provides an historical overview of the involvement of BRICS nations in hosting sports mega-events since 1990. It draws upon published studies to `generalise about how the hosting experience affected the BRICS economies. A survey of bidding for some mega-events shows that BRICS nations were keen to hold them, especially when there was a change in hosting policy which encouraged developing nations to apply. Indeed it can be suggested that regular bidding built the events into BRICS nations development strategies in which hosting a sporting mega-event both demonstrated that the nations had developed sufficiently to spare the resources for such prestigious entertainments but also was a way of boosting further development through infrastructure improvements and the encouragement of tourism. Certainly many city politicians and influencers saw hosting a mega-event as a key to urban regeneration and modernisation. In most cases the events were sporting successes, but the economic story was one of exaggerated pre-event claims of potential benefits and seriously underestimated costs. A major issue was the lower level of the infrastructural base from which BRICS countries started compared to more developed economies. The funding of sporting mega events meant that resources had to be diverted from possible alternative uses such as health, education and housing.

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DOI: 10.3897/brics-econ.3.e94450

Authors: Jun Yan, Vladimir Bocharnikov

Abstract: The idea of a socialist ecological civilization with Chinese characteristics is based on the latest provisions of Marxist theory applied to China’s current ecological environment. Responsible attitude contributes to the continuing formation of people’s awareness of the need for ecological protection, which in turn leads to the expansion of ecological practical activities; this shows that the idea of socialist ecological civilization with Chinese characteristics has very high theoretical and practical value. China’s ecological civilization has created an advanced national development strategy and now it is gradually putting it into practice. China is actively transforming its economic development mode, reducing energy and material consumption, limiting obsolete production capacity, insisting on collaborative innovation, and promoting sustainable economic development. Under the guidance of Xi Jinping’s ecological civilization thought, the society is consciously striving to respect and protect nature. In this paper, the authors analyze China’s Ecological Civilization from the historical point of view, explain the conceptual framework of China’ Ecological Civilization Thoughts and describe the primary steps of China’s ecological civilization development.

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