Felix Chidozie

Nigeria and the Brics: Regional Dynamics in Developing Economies' Studies

The debate on foreign economic relations has stressed the expansion and diversification of trade as well as the need for increased inflow in foreign capital. As a distinct area of international relations and development studies, foreign economic relations have increased the prospect for sustained economic growth and development, especially among emerging economies. Indeed, the competition for markets and resources remains the greatest determinant for friends as well as foes. To this end, the study interrogates the complexities of Nigeria’s foreign economic relations with the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) economies, whose development models can arguably serve as prototypes for other emerging economies. It adopts the theories of modernization and underdevelopment/dependency (UDT) to situate the dynamics of these relationships within perspective. The study is based on content analysis and review, drawing attention to the forces and factors that drive these relationships. Findings suggest that failure on the part of the traditional international financial institutions (IMF and World Bank) to meet the growing expectations of these developing economies is singularly responsible for regional re-alignments on their part to maximize the gains of globalization. It concludes that a reevaluation of the policies of the IMF and the World Bank is long overdue, while proposing an introduction of more robust regional economic integration to meet the increasing demands in South-South Cooperation.

INTERNATIONAL POLITICS OF GAY RIGHTS AND NIGERIA-US DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS

Through this paper we aim to illustrate the latest proposals within EU legislation regarding airports, which are facing some difficulties in the EU legislative iter of approval. Airports, due to the liberalization and deregulation process, shifted from an appendix facility of air transport into a self-standing industry. The whole process was imprinted by the massive privatization and is leading now into a competitive and common market, at least in EU level. These proposals, regarding slot allocation, groundhandling and procedure for restriction of the noise related operations, are to be considered as a serious effort for a comprehensive regulation. In our view, de lege ferenda it is a welcome initiative which yet represents difficulties in reaching uniformity within Union airport market. Furthermore, it is time for the Commission to launch new package related to the State Aids in the Air Transport sector and specifically, those which deals with airports.