China, Geopolitics and Geoeconomics. How Not to Fall into the Trap of Narration?

Grzegorz Malinowski ()
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Grzegorz Malinowski: Kozminski University, Department of Economics, Warsaw, Poland

Acta Oeconomica, 2019, vol. 69, issue 4, 495-522

Abstract: Chinese infrastructural projects like the “Belt & Road Initiative” or the “Chinese 16 + 1 Initiative” are trapped in geopolitical narratives. Geopolitical concepts dressed in scientific robes make the logic of warfare begin to prevail over the logic of cooperation. As a consequence, something that was to be an opportunity for less developed countries, becomes the axis of conflict between the great powers. In this paper, I identify the logic of warfare as an underlining characteristic of geopolitical reasoning and show why it is incompatible with economic approach. I also argue that geopolitical concepts are not scientific theories, but rather self-fulfilling prophecies. This theoretical background allows to detect the biggest obstacles related to many Chinese initiatives, and also indicates some necessary means to neutralize geopolitical narratives.

Keywords: China; geopolitics; geoeconomics; logic of war; self-fulfilling prophecies; Belt & Road; 16+1 initiative (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: B41 F42 F51 F52 P48 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
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