Taking an interdisciplinary approach, Vai Io Lo and Mary Hiscock, together with scholars and researchers from around the world, investigate the rise of the BRICS and assess the extent of their further development and influence from the perspectives of economics, international relations and law.Brazil, Russia, India, and China are expected to become the world s most influential economies, surpassing the current richest economies, by the middle of the 21st century. With the inclusion of South Africa in 2010, the BRICS span across four continents, creating an abundance of geopolitical clout, in addition to their potential economic dominance. This book examines the economic developments of individual BRICS countries, the current politico-economic condition of the BRICS vis-à-vis non-BRICS countries or groups, and the potential of the BRICS to bring about changing paradigms in the global political economy.

This book is an essential resource for academics, researchers and students who are interested in the rise, development and impact of the BRICS economies. It will also be of interest to economists, political scientists, and specialists in international trade and investment.

Contributors include: M. Ariff, R. Arora, L. Boulle, J. Chella, M. Conley Tyler, R. Dos Santos, J. Farrar, S. Fortescue, U. Ghori, M.Hiscock, D.B. Karimova, A. Khalid, R. Lahiri, E.T. Laryea, S. Lin, V.I. Lo, A.J. Makin, B. Nanda, M.P. Ramaswamy, S. Ratnasiri, M. Sornarajah, M. Thirlwell, M. Thomas