Skip to main content
Donate to the 95 years appeal
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
OMMUNITY OUTRAGE: Kurdish migrants march in Westminster to protest the raid on their north London community centre in police operations against the banned PKK organisation, December 2024
Features / 25 September 2025
25 September 2025

The move against alleged PKK members that sparked outrage as a community centre in north London was raided last year has now come to trial, writes TONY BURKE, but in the meantime, the peace process abroad has changed the situation almost entirely

covers
Music Reviews / 12 September 2025
12 September 2025

TONY BURKE reviews new releases from Cheikh Lo, Mishra & Deepa Shakthi, N’Faly Kouyate

HISTORIC: Amazon has long prevented workers from organising
Features / 2 September 2025
2 September 2025

TONY BURKE explains how an internationally significant breakthrough for workers’ organisation and recognition against two notoriously anti-union global mega corporations has been finally achieved in Canada

guthrie
Album Review / 14 August 2025
14 August 2025

TONY BURKE revels in the publication of previously unreleased tracks by the great US folksinger

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