The five BRICS - SUPERPOWERS

Question 1

What are the five BRICS?

Answer 1

1. Brazil
2. Russia
3. China
4. India
5. South Africa

Question 2

Economic influence for Brazil

Answer 2

POSITIVE:
Brazil is important regionally for South America as it produces more than 50% of South America’s GDP
-It has large reserves of natural resources
-It has energy and food security. It is self-sufficient in producing and sourcing its own food and energy resources.
NEGATIVE:
-The economy repeatedly faces boom and bust phases, that severely hamper Brazil’s development.(Phases of economic growth and decline)

Question 3

Economic influence for Russia

Answer 3

POSITIVE:
-It is the 9t​h​ largest economy in the world and has large reserves of oil and gas​.
NEGATIVE:
However​ ​It is overly dependent on oil and gas for revenue, which is not sustainable income for the future.
-The country has been hit with EU sanctions that have weakened the Ruble (currency) and the economy.
-It is the most unequal emerging nation, where the richest 1% control 71% of total wealth

Question 4

Economic influence for China

Answer 4

POSITIVE:
China is a major player in global investment, the Chinese have invested heavily in developing countries especially in Africa.
-A lot has been invested in modern infrastructure like high speed rail throughout the country.
NEGATIVE:
-Due to its large population, GDP per capita is only 10% of USA’s.
-Many of its industries copies foreign ideas and so it isn’t very innovative.
-In 2009, only 2% of China’s adult population graduated from university.
-Rising wages in China have led to TNCs moving to cheaper countries like Bangladesh.
- Its ageing population combined with its one Child Policy may cause its economy to collapse entirely

Question 5

Economic influence for India

Answer 5

POSITIVE:
-Between 1997 and 2015, annual growth rates averaged 7% which is high.
-Widespread use of English has been beneficial as it has attracted many TNCs.
NEGATIVE:
-Infrastructure like energy and water supply as well as transport is poor, power cuts are frequent.
-The government has a lot of debt. -Society is very unequal and more than 20% of people live in poverty

Question 6

Economic influence for South Africa

Answer 6

POSITIVE:
-Highly developed economy and advanced infrastructure.
-one of the world’s largest exporters of gold, platinum and other natural resources.
-well established financial, legal communications, energy and transport sectors and Africa’s largest stock exchange.

Question 7

Political influence for Brazil

Answer 7

NEGATIVE:
- Brazil has been very politically unstable in recent years.
- Corruption is rife throughout the country.
- Since 2015, leadership has drastically changed. The President was impeached (misconduct) leading to uncertainty.

Question 8

Political influence for Russia

Answer 8

POSITIVE:
-It is a permanent member of the UN Security Council.
NEGATIVE:
-Relations with the EU are strained and its annexation of Crimea exacerbated this.

Question 9

Political influence for China

Answer 9

NEGATIVE:
-Unlike the USA, China doesn’t really get involved in global crises or aid towards other countries, limiting China’s international relations.
-China’s government is run by an authoritarian party.
-Has tense relationships with many SE Asian nations

Question 10

Political influence for India

Answer 10

POSITIVE:
-India is the world’s largest democracy -It is a member of the G20 and was a founding member of the UN.
-Government is facing large debts which has led to a reduction in the value of rupee
NEGATIVE:
-It has poor geopolitical relations with neighbours like China and Pakistan.

Question 11

Political influence for South Africa

Answer 11

NEGATIVE:
The African national congress has dominated South Africa’s politics.
-inequality between white and economic elites and the country’s new political leadership and problems tackling extreme poverty

Question 12

Military influence for Brazil

Answer 12

NEGATIVE:
-Its military is insignificant; only playing a small regional role and no international involvement.
- Speds over 17 million dollar of South America total military budget

Question 13

Military influence for Russia

Answer 13

POSITIVE:
-It has nuclear weapons and a large military
NEGATIVE
-Russia has intervened in Syria with airstrikes which has damaged relations with other countries.
-The majority of Russia’s fleet and aircraft are ageing and unsuitable for modern times.

Question 14

Military influence for China

Answer 14

POSITIVE:
-China’s People Liberation Army has the world’s largest army and has nuclear weapons.
NEGATIVE:
- China’s army (PLA) is dated; despite its large numbers of soldiers the army is very poorly equipped.

Question 15

Military influence for India

Answer 15

POSITIVE:
-It has the 4t​h largest military in terms of personnel and weaponry
-It has nuclear weapons.
-India has come to month-long standoffs with neighbouring China to maintain its border.

Question 16

Military influence for South Africa

Answer 16

POSITIVE:
-ranked as the 33rd greatest military strength globally
NEGATIVE:
-however for years the military has been in a state of critical decline.

Question 17

Demographic influence for Brazil

Answer 17

POSITIVE:
-The population of 210 million is the largest in South America.
-The population is very young.
NEGATIVE:
-Fertility rates have decreased significantly so the population may decline in the future.

Question 18

Demographic influence for Russia

Answer 18

POSITIVE:
The population of 144 million is quite large, but largely spread across Russia’s vast lands, leading to isolation and lack of development of many regions.
NEGATIVE:
-Russia’s population has been declining in recent years as birth rates are very low.
-The population is ageing which is impacting the economy.

Question 19

Demographic influence for China

Answer 19

POSITIVE:
-The population of 1.38 billion allows for a vast labour pool, allowing China’s economy to increase.
NEGATIVE:
-By 2020, it is expected that 12% of the population will be over 65 which will require expensive support through healthcare and social care
-China has little inwards migration so they are unable to attract talent and skills from abroad that they may lack

Question 20

Demographic influence for India

Answer 20

POSITIVE:
-The population is 1.27 billion (largest after China).
-The majority of Indians are young and so there is a large pool of labour available.
NEGATIVE:
- However, there is much outward migration of India’s youth, which may lead to a declining future population and brain drain of skilled workers.

Question 21

Demographic influence for South Africa

Answer 21

POSITIVE:
-Median age has risen from 18 years to 25 years over since 2019.
-Population growth is slowing, birth rate is declining and life expectancy is increasing. Lower cases of HIV/AIDS

Question 22

Cultural influence for Brazil

Answer 22

POSITIVE:
-Brazil has a global reputation as a footballing nation and has won many world cups.
-It hosted the Olympics + Paralympics in 2016 and the FIFA World Cup in 2014
-Famous for RIO carnival

Question 23

Cultural influence for Russia

Answer 23

POSITIVE:
- Its growing influence in USA (Trump’s election), military assistance to Nigeria (to combat Boko Haram) and Syria (controversial air strikes) suggests that Russia’s global influence is expanding.
-Large cultural tourist industry
NEGATIVE:
-Russia has little cultural influence

Question 24

Cultural influence for China

Answer 24

POSITIVE:
-China’s influence is growing as they are investing in other countries (such as Africa).
-Some Cantonese food has been adopted in other countries.
NEGATIVE:
-China has very little global influence on culture.

Question 25

Cultural influence for India

Answer 25

POSITIVE:
-Bollywood which is the world’s largest film industry outside of Hollywood, producing 1200 films annually
-Indian food is very common and important in many parts of the world
-English is widely spoken and graduate education is widespread
-Birthplace of four religions.

Question 26

Cultural influence for South Africa

Answer 26

POSITIVE:
-Many represent a fusion of cultural influences such as township, jazz an pop music and also traditional dances
-Also emergence of many nations so there is many different culture.

Question 27

Environmental influence for Brazil

Answer 27

POSITIVE:
-Supports global initiatives such as the UN conference on climate change.
NEGATIVE:
-Deforestation is a major issue with the Amazon being cut down for agricultural and commercial purposes.
-Pollution is another major problem from mining and oil spills.

Question 28

Environmental influence for Russia

Answer 28

NEGATIVE:
-One of the most ecologically stressed landscapes due to human degradation -> extraction of natural resources damages surroundings, salinization and overgrazing is causing soils to deteriorate, improper waste disposal.

Question 29

Environmental influence for China

Answer 29

NEGATIVE:
-China is the world’s largest emitter of CO2​ producing 33% of the world’s emissions.
-Rivers throughout China have been polluted with chemicals from factories. -Large amounts of land across the world in places like the Amazon rainforest are being cut down in order to export good to China where demand for consumers is rising rapidly.

Question 30

Environmental influence for India

Answer 30

POSITIVE:
-India is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world with various plant and animal species.
NEGATIVE:
-Pollution is a major problem as India is the world’s third largest emitter of CO2​.
-India has some of the worlds largest and worst slums which have damaged the environment.

Question 31

Environmental influence for South Africa

Answer 31

NEGATIVE:
-Pollution, lack of energy and deforestation