SWOT analyses of BRICS and MINTS

BRICS: Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa

BRICS are the nations which are predicted to be the most dominant contenders for superpower status by as soon as 2050.

MINTS: Mexico, Indonesia, Nigeria, Turkey, (Saudi Arabia)

MINTS are nations that are expected to show high levels of growth and provide high levels of return for investors over coming years. Saudi Arabia is sometimes included in the MINTs, however it is thought to be the least likely contender for future superpower status.

Strengths:

• Largely self-sufficient in food production and fuel resources (leading world experts in biofuels)
• Regional leader in South America and is culturally influential (e.g. football)
• Low median population age of 29.6 so economically active country

Weaknesses:

• Relies largely on exports of primary products, economy regualrly suffers from "boom and bust" phases making it unattractive to foreign investors

Opportunities:

• Growing middle class and consumer economy -> multiplier effect
• Huge natural resources to be ultilised

Threats:

• Political instability creating a negative global image, wide-ranging perception of corruption

Strengths:

• Very large militay capabilities so can implement hard power strategies (nuclear capabilities)
• Huge oil and gas reserves which provide energy security (source of wealth and control)
• Permanent seat on the UNsc and maintains political influence over former USSR countries

Weaknesses:

• Ageing and declinign population which is in genrally poor health
• Extreme inequality

Opportunities:

• Large cultural tourist industry that could be expnaded further

Threats:

• Language barrier (Russian spoken little beyond former USSR borders)
• Difficult relationship with the EU and US

Strengths:

• World's largest English speaking population, graduate education widespread 
• Nuclear capabilities with developments in space and missile technology (however no military alliance such as NATO)

Weaknesses:

• Poor infrastructural and transport facilities
• Nearly 30% of gross agricultural output lost each year due to soil degradation

Opportunities:

• Renewable energy development will benefit from sunbelt location
• 65% of population below 35 -> large economically active workforce in the future

Threats:

• Pollution (3rd largest emitter of CO2, large urban slums)

Strengths:

• Highly educated and inovative population, rising middle class
• Modern, efficient infrastructure so can integrate in global economy easily

Weaknesses:

• Little cultural influence compared to other powers
• Relies on imported raw materials

Opportunities:

• Expanding economic growth and military capabilities

Threats:

• Mass over-population and large ageing population
• Global image of restriction, lack of civilian freedom
• Rising wages due to development makes costs higher to TNCs
• Pollution - world's largest emitter of CO2

Strengths: 

• 2nd least corrupt country in Africa, regional power
• Well developed and connected shipping ports

Weaknesses:

• Fails to use natural resources effectively due to lack of technology
• Very high levels of unemployment

Opportunities:

• Tourism industry has the opportunity to grow 
• Incentives offered to attract investment e.g. investors are free to remove their money from the country at any time

Threats:

• Climate change poses threats to food and water security

Strengths:

• Cheap labour costs attract FDI, as well as 11 free trade deals with 46 countries
• Large coastline across two major oceans
• 11th largest country so very large workforce 

Weaknesses:

• Poor global image created by prominence of drug cartels and corruption

Opportunities:

• Untapped oil and gas resources that could influence global markets, but still reliant on exports

Threats:

• Tensions with US after inauguration of Trump (e.g. wall across Gulf of Mexico)
• Dominant companies are able to exert influence over government policy which could upset the balance of power

Strengths:

• A range of accessible natural resources
• Youthful population with economic growth potential

Weaknesses:

• Environmental issues e.g. deforestation, open cast mining
• Political issues and tensions

Opportunities:

• Free trade zones
• Political system working towards democracy

Threats:

• Rapid industrialisation will impact on environment
• 80% of population dont have complete access to clean water

Strengths:

• Large crude oil reserves (mainly exported to India) and is a member of OPEC
• Education available to all

Weaknesses:

• Insufficient food supply for population and only 5% of GDP spent on healthcare
• Economy may be overly dependent on oil exports

Opportunities:

• Education for everyone will increase literacy rate which will lead to a larger percentage of highly skilled workers

Threats:

• Often exploited by large oil TNCs such as Shell
• Poor healthcare systems mean that malaria is a large-scale issue

Strengths:

• Situated on the borders of Europe and Asia so large market potential
• Young population that is generally well educated

Weaknesses:

• Large internal and extrenal debt problems (indebted to IMF)
• Political instability, spends a large proportion of government budget on weapons

Opportunities:

• Has the potential to use its resources more efficiently
• Is vying to become a member of the EU

Threats:

• Poor human rights record (restricting access to EU membership)
• Tertiary sectors such as tourism will be affected by war and negative global perception