Introduction

Abstract

The aims of this manuscript are (1) to provide an overview of the recent ascent to economic and political power of Brazil, Russia, India and China – the BRIC nations, or simply BRICs; and (2) to provide a vision of their future prospects. The signs of the BRICs’ ascent are many. Whether one looks at the Eurozone calling on the BRICs to salvage it from indebtedness or at the US Senate passing a law which imposes sanctions on countries with undervalued currencies, such as the Chinese yuan,¹ it would appear that the BRICs have acquired significant economic and political importance. Yet this could all be a matter of perception. In an effort to set the record straight, this book gathers the facts embodying the economic and political ascent of the BRICs.