Skip to main content
Gifts from The Morning Star
Time will tell what the future holds for Brics
Self-organisation, reducing dependency on the dollar, and possibly expanding the number of member states were all up for discussion at the Brics summit in Johannesburg earlier this week, writes TONY BURKE
Argentinian President Alberto Angel Fernandez appears on a screen as he addresses the 15th Brics Summit, in Johannesburg, South Africa

ECONOMIST Jim O’Neill (now Lord O’Neill) originally coined the phrase “Brics” in a 2001 Goldman Sachs economic paper, The World Needs Better Economic Brics, which discussed the prospects for four emerging economies — Brazil, Russia, India and China.

Brics soon became a term used by journalists, pundits and politicians as a soundbite and buzz-phrase.

Last week in Johannesburg, South Africa, this year’s conference of the Brics countries took place and the media sat up and took note.

The 95th Anniversary Appeal
Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.
More from this author
GR
Global Routes / 25 June 2025
25 June 2025

This is a remarkable set of hop hip, salsa, reggae, soul, cumbia and traditional Mexican music finds TONY BURKE

GR
Album reviews / 23 June 2025
23 June 2025

New releases from Madalitso Band, Gabriel da Rosa, and Femi Kuti

TB
Music / 12 May 2025
12 May 2025

A New Awakening: Adventures In British Jazz 1966 - 1971, G3, and Buck Owens 

Platform working
Features / 5 May 2025
5 May 2025

TONY BURKE says an International Labour Conference next month will try for a new convention to protect often super-exploited workers providing services such as ride-hailing (taxis) such as Uber as well as fast food and package delivery

Similar stories
SCARING TRUMP: (Left to right) Brazil’s President Luiz Ina
Features / 24 February 2025
24 February 2025
The towering figures of the North American right and the South American left are set to clash this summer as Brazil hosts Brics, an alliance Trump is determined to smash, reports TONY BURKE
From left, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Egyptian Pre
World / 19 January 2025
19 January 2025
(Left to right) Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Egyptia
Features / 17 November 2024
17 November 2024
JENNY CLEGG sets out and then responds to eight key doubts about the Brics+ alliance in light of the developments at Kazan, arguing it represents a significant challenge to US hegemony and provides a path towards a multipolar world
Chinese President Xi Jinping (right) and Russian President V
World / 13 September 2024
13 September 2024