Is a world without a dominant US dollar possible? Whatever you believe, its dominance isn’t good for South Africa and other emerging markets.

[View in browser]( [Mail & Guardian]( M&G Mornings | Tue 18 Apr   [ron_derby] After World War 2, the supremacy of the US dollar was firmly established as the old continent of Europe was flattened and in need of a bailout from the world’s biggest economy at that point, the US. It’s a world that we’ve lived in ever since, a world where holding the greenback or gold is the safest bet in investment circles. It’s this psychological hold that we’ll have to break if we are to ever to see the end of the US dollar hegemony. The Brics grouping of nations are once again banging that drum, calling on the creation of a new reserve currency. With the world’s second largest and soon to be largest economy in that mix in China as well as an awakening giant in India, it’s a fascinating economic story to unpick. I highly recommend you read Sarah Smit’s piece [( So where do I stand in this possible future, where the US dollar isn’t the only game in town? Well there’s no denying that the strength and weakness of the currency has some really negative impact on emerging market nations such as South Africa. A weak dollar, means a currency like the rand gets stronger and then our imports rise – affecting our industrial base. When it strengthens and the rand weakens significantly as it is amongst the most traded EM currencies in the world, we import inflation into our country through no fault of our own. It’s the same scenario that unfolds in Brazil. The dollar’s pre-eminence is a massive problem for developing economies such as South Africa, we do need another order – which may in fact be beneficial for the US itself. The strength of the dollar has weakened its industries and made them less competitive. It has also given them the politics of Donald Trump. I think it will be near impossible to get over our addiction to the Benjamins, it’s almost an impenetrable psychological hold. But we must try or at the very least have the conversation, if emerging nations are to emerge. Ron Derby | Editor-in-Chief [@RonDerby]( [Human Settlements Minister Lindiwe Sisulu.]( Premium [Sisulu: Public protector’s report aimed at smearing my good name]( Former minister rejects findings of ‘maladministration’ against her over the national rapid response task team she appointed This article is only available to subscribers. [View subscription options]( If you are already a subscriber, login here. [// Read more]( Articles labelled as Premium are only available to subscribers. [CLICK HERE]( to subscribe Already a subscriber? [SIGN IN HERE]( [ED_373582]( Premium [JSC gives Molemela the nod for head of appeal court]( Justice Mahube Molemela said she would retire in the position, abandoning her earlier ambitions for a seat on the constitutional court This article is only available to subscribers. [View subscription options]( If you are already a subscriber, login here. [// Read more]( [Cry defamation: Former mayor Florence Radzilani]( Premium [Radzilani in the firing line as veterans raise VBS saga in ANC talks]( ANC Limpopo chair Stan Mathabatha seems to be off the hook but the jury is still out on his deputy This article is only available to subscribers. [View subscription options]( If you are already a subscriber, login here. [// Read more]( Recommended Reads [Gordhan going rogue again, says NUMSA after SAA board appointments]( Led by Derek Hanekom, this will be the eighth board to oversee the ailing national carrier in 14 years [// Read more]( [Climate expert: Scandal that Africa gets so little research funding]( Scientist Guy Midgley calls for action on avoiding a climate disaster from an African perspective [// Read more]( Premium [Zuma arms deal trial postponed until August]( The delay has been forced by the former president’s latest application challenging the standing of state prosecutor Billy Downer This article is only available to subscribers. [View subscription options]( If you are already a subscriber, login here. [// Read more]( [Thabo Bester saga: Nandipha Magudumana’s father granted bail]( Zolile Sikelele, the father of Bester’s partner, Nandipha Magudumana, was granted bail with conditions on Monday morning [// Read more]( [ANC provincial committee saves Stan Mathabatha at party meeting]( The Limpopo premier has been given a six-month reprieve to clean house as President Cyril Ramaphosa calls for more accountability in government [// Read more]( Pic of the day [Dollar In Flames] The dollar’s pre-eminence is a massive problem for developing economies such as South Africa, we do need another order – which may in fact be beneficial for the US itself. (Photo by Tom Stoddart/Getty Images) [Share]( [Share]( [Tweet]( [Tweet]( [Forward]( [Forward]( This email was sent to {EMAIL} [why did I get this?]( [unsubscribe from this list]( [update subscription preferences]( Mail & Guardian Media LTD · 25 Owl St · Braamfontein · Johannesburg, Gauteng 2001 · South Africa