The Political Economy of Intra-BRICS Cooperation: Challenges and Prospects

Preface
Contents
Notes on Contributors
List of Figures
List of Tables
1 Towards Deeper Intra-BRICS Cooperation: An Argument
	Introduction
	The Prism
		BRICs as a Goldman Sachs Idea: An Economic Bloc
		BRICS as a Russia-China Alliance Plus
		BRICS as a Platform for Regional Powers
	Major Divergences Among BRICS Member States
	The Missing Link
	The Book Outline
	Conclusion
	References
2 The BRICS Development Bank and Challenges for development financing in BRICS—Issues for Consideration
	Introduction
	BRICS Development Bank—A Consolidated Formidable Force for Inclusive Development
	The Role of National, Regional and Multilateral Development Banks
	Governance and Shareholding Structure of the BRICS Development Bank
	New mechanisms for Financing Development and Cooperation of BRICS
	BRICS Development Bank Projects, Instruments and Products
	Criticism Levelled Against BRICS Development Bank
	Matters for the BRICS Development Bank’s Consideration Going Forward
	Conclusion
	References
3 BRICS, Structural Power and the BRICS Bank as a Potentially Progressive Instrument for a Passive Revolution
	Structural Power: The Context
	Countering Hegemony: A BRICS Approach
	The Shoe Must Fit the NDB and Not the Other Way Round
	Conclusion
	References
4 Out of the Regime Complex: Practical Options for Enhancing Cooperation in Climate Change and New Frontiers in BRICS
	Introduction
	From Culture of Denial to Culture of Complexity: Mapping the Shifting Landscape
	Who Shall Stem the Rising Ocean Level and Heal the Warmth Planet? The Moral and Social Justice Challenge
	The Impact of BRICS on Climate Change and the Impact of Climate Change on BRICS
	Climate Change Position of BRICS Countries Identified in BRICS’ Summit Declarations
	Belling the Cat? The New Roadmap for BRICS
	Conclusion
	References
5 Opportunities and Options for Energy Cooperation Among BRICS Countries
	Introduction
	A Review of BRICS Energy Cooperation
	Technology Transfer as a Catching Up Mechanism for BRICS
	Cooperation on International Governance of Energy, Environment, and Natural Resources
		Cooperation in CO2 and Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction
		Green Economy Revolution
	Cooperation on Other Sources of Energy
	Concluding Remarks
	References
6 BRICS Cooperation in Fighting Transnational Crimes
	Introduction
	Initial Transnational Organised Crime Discourse
	Conceptualising Transnational Organised Crime
	The Evolving Nature of Transnational Crime
	Transnational Organised Crime Within the Context of BRICS
	Analysis of TOC Arising Specifically from BRICS Summit Declarations 2012–2018
	Recommendations on Coordinating BRICS Efforts to Fight Transnational Crime
	Conclusion
	References
7 BRICS Countries’ Competitiveness in the 4IR: Findings from Three World Economic Forum Indicators
	Introduction
	The Fourth Industrial Revolution
	Conceptual Framework: The WEF Global Competitiveness Index
	Methodology
	Analysis
	The Correlation Between 4IR Competitiveness and FDI Observed: A Discussion
	Conclusion
	References
8 No One Left Behind: The Implications of the 4th Industrial Revolution on the Developmental Agenda of the BRICS Countries
	Introduction
	Rising Inequality in the Context of a Polarised Labour Market
	Education and Skills in the BRICS Countries
	Employment Trends in BRICS Nations
	BRICS Nations and the Digital Divide
	Cooperation on Job-Related Digital Innovation Initiatives in the BRICS Countries
	Conclusion
	References
9 Tangible Economic Cooperation for South Africa and the BRICS: Taking Stock and Looking Forward
	Introduction
	Intra-BRICS Trade and Investment: Status Quo
	Enhancing Intra-BRICS Economic Relations
		Towards a BRICS Free Trade Agreement
		BRICS and the African Continental Free Trade Agreement
		Enhancing Investment Through the New Development Bank
	Conclusion and Policy Recommendations
	References
10 Financial Inclusion and Women Empowerment in BRICS Countries: Perspectives on India and South Africa
	Introduction
	Financial Inclusion and Inclusive Development
	Political Economy of Financial Inclusion
	Global and National Policies on Financial Inclusion
	Gender Financial Inclusion in BRICS
	Gender Financial Inclusion in India
	Gender Financial Inclusion in South Africa
		The Gender Growth Rate in the BRICS Economy
	The State of Financial Exclusion in South Africa
		Government Initiatives to Promote Financial Inclusion
	Lessons learnt from South Africa on Gender Financial Exclusion
	The State of Financial Exclusion in India
	Government Initiatives to promote financial inclusion in India
	Lessons Learned from India’s Experiences
	Conclusion and Recommendations
	References
11 COVID-19 and the Counter-Cyclical Responses of the BRICS Countries
	Introduction
	The Socio-economic Impact of COVID-19 on the BRICS Countries
	The Political Economy of the COVID-19 Pandemic in the BRICS
	The BRICS’ Economic Responses to COVID-19
	The BRICS’ Responses to COVID-19 and the Post-COVID-19 World Order
	Conclusion
	References
12 South Africa’s Vaccine  Production Potential: Towards an Intra-BRICS Vaccine Production Framework
	Introduction
	Our Approach
	The Human Capital-Policy Regime-Economic Development Nexus
	South Africa’s Skill Capital Status and the Policy Environment
	The Policy Environment
	Conclusion and Recommendations
	References
13 Towards an Intra-BRICS Implementation and Accountability Framework on Sustainable Development Goals
	Introduction
	Development as a Conundrum
	MDG Implementation and the Accountability Framework: Lessons Learned
	Principle-Driven Accountability and Implementation Framework for Agenda 2030
	Conclusion
	References
Index