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4 Cards in this Set
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Rise of Brazil: |
Economic: - Brazil is important regionally because it produces half of South America's GDP as of 2015. However, its aim to become a world power is hindered by the fact that it relies on primary products such as Palm Oil from the Amazon for exports, rather than manufacturing. - Its potential to become a world power is boosted through its huge natural resource availability and its self sufficiency in both food and energy production. Furthermore, it is an agricultural superpower, the 3rd largest producer of iron ore and the 2nd largest producer of bio-fuels.
Political: - This factor limits Brazil's aim to become a world power, especially in recent years with its government being accused of corruption. This is further supported by the fact that since 2013, there have been protests every year caused by the corruption and government spending cuts.
Military: - Brazil spends over 60% of South America's total military budget. However, compared to the other BRICs, militarily Brazil is the least significant.
Cultural: - Brazil has a global reputation as a footballing nation. It held the 2014 FIFA World Cup as well as the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games. It is also globally famous for the Rio Carnival which attracts tourists from all over the world.
Demographic: - Brazil's large population of 210 million people as of 2016, is around half of South America's total population. Its population is young (median age of 31.5 years old), which allows for future development but its population is ageing which is a limiting factor.
Environmental: - Brazil's biodiversity includes 13% of all known species on Earth, with a huge range of Bora and Fauna especially in the Amazon Rainforest. It also supports global initiatives, such as the UN Conference on Climate Change and is a leader in the usage of ethanol. - However, Brazil also has major environmental issues. Deforestation in the Amazon, illegal poaching and pollution caused by mining and oil spills, are just a few examples of the environmental issues in Brazil. |
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The Rise of Russia |
Economic: - Russia is considered a country with economic potential. - Russia is the 9th largest global economy, but it heavily depends on the exports of oil and gas for producing half of its GDP. This limits its status to become a world power as it is vulnerable to global price fluctuations of oil and gas. - Its unbalanced is further a limiting factor with it being a large producer of electronics, vehicles, foods and medicine under the USSR. After the end of the USSR in the early 1990s, its manufacturing has halved. - According to the World Bank, Russia's GDP was expected to grow by 1.8% in 2020, with more modest growth forecasted for 2021. Political and Military: - Since 1991, there has been a global decline in 'Russian influence', although Vladimir Putin has sought to rebuild this in recent years, including a substantial role in Syria between 2012 & 2017. - Despite increased defence spending, much of Russia's naval and aircraft stock is ageing. Russia did not support Ukraine's application for membership of the EU and NATO. It also still holds political influence over many former USSR countries. Cultural: - The Russian language is spoken little beyond the borders of the former USSR countries. Nonetheless, Russia's history is one of global significance. It also has a large cultural tourist industry. Though over 80% of its population is ethnically Russian, its diverse population includes Tatars (4%), Ukrainians (1.4%) and Chechens (1%). Demographic: - Between 1991 and 2015, Russia's population declined in 21/25 of those years, and has never recovered to its 1991 level. The fact that Russia's population is declining with low population growth to combat the decline, it is limiting Russia's potential to solidify its status as a world power. Environmental: - Russia has a pollution legacy from industrialisation between 1930 & 1960, which occurred with little concern about the damage caused by deforestation, mining, oil spillages or toxic waste and from the Chernobyl Disaster in 1986. |
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The rise of India |
Economic: - The Indian economy averaged 7% annual growth- and quadrupled between 1997 and 2015 despite its manufacturing decreasing in those years from 17% in 1995 to 14% now in terms of its GDP. - India is currently one of the fastest growing economies in the world. - The World Travel and Tourism Council calculated that tourism generated 9.2% of India's GDP in 2018. Political: - With 672 million voters, India is the world's largest democracy. It was a founding member of the UN and G2O grouping of industrial nations. Military: - Global fire power ranks India as the world's 4th largest military power in terms of its weaponry and personnel. Cultural: - India was the birthplace of 4 world religions (Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism). The world's largest film industry, Bollywood produces 1200 films a year, but without Hollywood's global reach. Demographic: - At 1.27 billion people as of 2016, India has the world's 2nd largest population after China. However, around 20% of its population live in abject poverty. - It has a youthful and massive working population with 66.2% of its population aged 15-64. Environmental: - India has some of the world's richest biodiversity; its diversity includes 6% of plant and bird species in the world, but this is threatened by economic and population growth. - India also has the world's worst environmental problems, with serious pollution in cities like Mumbai and New Delhi. It's the world's third largest emitter of CO2 and has some of the worst urban slums e.g., Dharavi slum in Mumbai. |
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SWOTing the BRICs S= Strengths W= Weaknesses O= Opportunities T= Threats |
Brazil: S- World's 3rd largest agricultural exporter. W- Corrupt Government and High crime rates. O- Regional Power. T- Inflation Russia: S- Military and nuclear stability. W- Ageing population. O- Spare capacity T- Regional tensions with former USSR countries. India: S- Youthful population W- Energy and water supply. O- Urbanisation T- Lack of resources and food crisis. China: S- Rapid economic growth W- Rapid population growth/overpopulation. O- Influence in Africa. T- Conflicts with the US and Japan. |
