Capstone
"This project reflects learning in at least one of the main themes of the program and involves experiential learning, community engagement, research at the University of Hartford Library, a research paper, and the creation of a unique product. The products represent different genres and share multiple perspectives on the students' topics. In the style of a multigenre research project, students show their understanding through creative work such as leading workshops, podcasts, videos, etc" Watkinson Global Studies
About
BRICS
Thesis:
Due to internal tension and ideological differences, the BRICS economic alliance will strengthen the economic power of its members, but it is unlikely to threaten U.S. hegemony or the power of the USD.
Intro:
An Inquiry into the Viability and Impact of the BRICS Economic Alliance on Western Hegemony and the Power of the United States Dollar
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The BRICS economic alliance is a coalition of nine countries, aligned to challenge Western economic dominance and foster the development of emerging economies. BRICS, originally Brazil, Russia, China, and South Africa has now expanded to include Iran, Saudi Arabia, The United Arab Emirates, Egypt, and Ethiopia. Combined, these nations represent 40% of the world's population and almost a third of the world’s GDP. Many analysts have recognized BRICS as a major economic player on the world stage and a significant threat to U.S. hegemony. Projects like the New Development Bank will bankroll the development of third-world countries and strengthen the institutional power of the alliance. Furthermore, mutually beneficial cooperation between its members and the ever-growing economics of its nations contribute to the confident projections of many analysts. However, the reality is more complex. The alliance is hindered by tensions among its members and the opposing views among the ever-increasing number of BRICS countries. These factors will make coordinated actions - like, the complete abandonment of the US, opposing UN initiatives, conducting trade in a currency alternative to the USD, etc. - difficult (Curtis). Due to internal tension and ideological differences, the BRICS economic alliance will strengthen the economic power of its members, but it is unlikely to threaten U.S. hegemony or the power of the USD.
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Important Videos
Products
For my second product, I have created an educational infographic using Canva. The Infographic explains what BRICS is and then condenses the main argument of my essay into a digestible format. For my third product, I plan to create an educational video using the DaVinci Resolve software that, like the infographic, explains and argues my points but in a much deeper and substantial way.
Bibliography
Curtis, John. “The BRICS Group: Overview and Recent Expansion - House of Commons Library.” House of Commons Library, 11 Nov. 2024, Accessed 16 Dec. 2024. commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-10136/.
“History of BRICS.” BRICS Portal, infobrics.org/page/history-of-brics/. Accessed 19 Dec. 2024.
Inamdar, Nikhil. “India’s Economy: The Good, Bad and Ugly in Six Charts.” BBC News, BBC, 30 Apr. 2024, www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-68823827.
“Investor Presentation.” Nbd.Int, New Development Bank, Oct. 2024, www.ndb.int/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Investor-Presentation-NDB.pdf.
“Joint Statement of the BRIC Countries’ Leaders.” President of Russia, 16 June 2009, Accessed 31 Oct. 2024. en.kremlin.ru/supplement/209.
Joyce. “What Is the IMF?: Ask an Economist.” Facebook, International Monetary Fund, 18 July 2024, www.facebook.com/imf/videos/what-is-the-imf-ask-an-economist/480553788053313/.
Korhonen, Iikka. “BRICS Membership – What’s Not to Like?” Bank of Finland Bulletin, Bank of Finland, 6 Nov. 2024, www.bofbulletin.fi/en/blogs/2024/brics-membership-what-s-not-to-like/#:~:text=The%20BRICS%20do%20not%20constitute,rely%20heavily%20on%20commodity%20imports.
Silver, Laura. “Key Facts about China’s Declining Population.” Pew Research Center, Pew Research Center, 5 Dec. 2022, www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2022/12/05/key-facts-about-chinas-declining-population/.
Singh, Teshu. Demographic Dividend in China: The Challenge Ahead. Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies, 2012. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/resrep09269. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
Poushter, Jacob. “Russians Warm to China as Relations with U.S. Cool.” Pew Research Center, Pew Research Center, 8 July 2015, www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2015/07/08/russians-warm-to-china-as-relations-with-u-s-cool/.
“Pfluger Bill to Freeze $6 Billion in Iranian Assets Passes the U.S. House.” Congressman August Pfluger, 17 Apr. 2024, pfluger.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1022#:~:text=WASHINGTON%2C%20DC%20%E2%80%94%20Wednesday%2C%20the,from%20using%20any%20waiver%20authority%2C.
Wexler, Alexandra. “Brics: The G-7 Economic Alliance’s Rival, Explained | WSJ.” YouTube, YouTube, 22 Aug. 2023, www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wvcg0ry70U.
“Where the IMF Gets Its Money.” IMF, 19 Dec. 2023, www.imf.org/en/About/Factsheets/Where-the-IMF-Gets-Its-Money.
“What Are the Top 10 Most Traded Currencies in the World?” IG, www.ig.com/en/trading-strategies/what-are-the-top-10-most-traded-currencies-in-the-world-200115. Accessed 19 Dec. 2024.
“What Is the G7?” YouTube, YouTube, 9 June 2021, www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z001BhsnLFE.
Yousuf, Danish. “BRICS vs. G7: Can They Truly Be Compared?” – Center For Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS), 26 Nov. 2024, www.claws.in/brics-vs-g7-can-they-truly-be-compared/#:~:text=BRICS%20represents%20around%20five%20times,compared%20to%20the%20G7%27s%2030%25.
Zeihan, Peter. Disunited Nations: The Scramble for Power in an Ungoverned World. Harper Business, An Imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, 2020.
Zeihan, Peter. “The BRICS Summit: Significant or Hoopla?” YouTube, YouTube, 25 Aug. 2023, www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tG7hh-Vx2A.