Brics, now half of world population, & 41% of global economy

[Paco Dennis]

BRICS is gaining popularity around the globe.

BRICS keeps expanding, adding 9 partner countries in January 2025, after admitting 4 new members in 2024. It now makes up roughly half of the global population and more than 41% of world GDP (PPP). It’s an economic powerhouse, with top producers of key commodities like oil, gas, grains, meat, and minerals.



BRICS expands with 9 new partner countries. Now it's half of world population, 41% of global economy - Geopolitical Economy Report

 

[Aunt Bea]

It will be interesting to see how this evolves.

My first thought is that some of the major players will be reluctant to take a backseat to the leadership of the alliance in ways similar to what we have seen with the European Union.

 

[dilettante]

I don't think it's much of a concern.

The players are all deeply troubled economies with authoritarian forms of government, each facing some serious internal existential threat. For most of them it's irreversible population decline. It's really only of interest to multinational corporate exploiters, the force it was created to oppose in negotiations for access to their resources and cheap labor pools as the latter dries up like the dew at Summer's dawn.

The entire thing is only a short walk from becoming a footnote in history.

 

[Murrmurr]

I don't think it's much of a concern.

The players are all deeply troubled economies with authoritarian forms of government, each facing some serious internal existential threat. For most of them it's irreversible population decline. It's really only of interest to multinational corporate exploiters, the force it was created to oppose in negotiations for access to their resources and cheap labor pools as the latter dries up like the dew at Summer's dawn.

The entire thing is only a short walk from becoming a footnote in history.

I agree. All true. State-owned economies aren't strong even when the country has a wealth of natural resources, and state-controlled people aren't a happily productive work-force.

 

[Paco Dennis]

I don't think it's much of a concern.

The players are all deeply troubled economies with authoritarian forms of government, each facing some serious internal existential threat. For most of them it's irreversible population decline. It's really only of interest to multinational corporate exploiters, the force it was created to oppose in negotiations for access to their resources and cheap labor pools as the latter dries up like the dew at Summer's dawn.

The entire thing is only a short walk from becoming a footnote in history.

A broken clock is "right" twice a day.

 

[Murrmurr]

A broken clock is "right" twice a day.

That's a myth


For real, though, a broken clock will only appear to be right twice a day.

 

[papa tiger]

Maybe that's the explanation why Russia, "we have nothing to loose, might as well just nuke em!"
China, "we have nothing to lose, might as well invade em or nuke em."
"Our Ports and harbors will get over it."

 

[Murrmurr]

Maybe that's the explanation why Russia, "we have nothing to loose, might as well just nuke em!"
China, "we have nothing to lose, might as well invade em or nuke em."
"Our Ports and harbors will get over it."

That's all bluster. Putin and Xi both know that initiating a nuclear war would end them.

But I heard something interesting yesterday - Xi sent the leaders of the BRICS countries detailed instructions on how to become strong dictators. It's in the form of books. 3 volumes of Xi Jiping's tips on How to Conquer a Nation.