vol. 15 núm. 23 (2013)

The study assesses the stability of the global economy and the economies of the countries of South America. In order to identify the turning points of economic development it is used theory of catastrophes - variance of the rate of economic growth. The turning points of global economic development, the economies of Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia and Chile are determined. It is ascertained that the economies of Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia and Chile has been developing very quickly in recent years. The pace of economic growth of these countries exceeds the growth rate of the world economy. Growth rates of the economy of Chile, Colombia, Venezuela come to 4, 5 - 5,5 %, Brazilian – come to 3 %. The most steadily developing is the economy of Colombia, less steadily developing is the economy of Brazil. The development of the economy of Chile is even less stable. Venezuela's economy develops the least stable. These countries in South America might be promising business and trading partners. Taking into account growth rates of economy, degree of stability of growth, economy scales, Colombia and Brazil have the best prospects, Chile and Venezuela are a little less perspective.