Project Description

This project examined the implications of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) for the liberal script, with a focus on trade and finance. These two policy areas are crucial in assessing the potential re-allocation of wealth across borders driven by the BRI.

Research Questions

The research questions began by defining the liberal script in the realms of trade and finance, and examining the international arenas—primarily international organisations—where conflicts over these issues typically unfold. The initial inquiry focused on understanding the impact of the "China shock" through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Building on this, the project explored the responses to this challenge, posing several key questions:

• How do governments react to the BRI, and what factors explain the variation in their responses?

• Do they rely on existing international organisations to address the BRI, pursue alternative measures, or simply accept it?

• What are the broader implications of these responses for the liberal script in these critical policy areas?