Global Impact of China's Economy and Politics

2023/2024

Academic Year

ENG

Instruction in English

3

ECTS credits

Delivered at:

Department of Political Science and International Affairs

Course type:

Elective course

When:

2 year, 2 module

Instructor

Морини Мара

Course Syllabus

Abstract

This course aims at providing a deeper knowledge on the political and economic development of China and its impact on the global scenario. In the last decades the role played by China in the International order has paved the way to a challenge to the leading US whose main objective is to shape a new International order based on a multipolar system. Moreover, China's rise on the global horizon is attributed to the nation's resolve to play by international rules and marked by its accession to the WTO 15 years ago. Moreover, China is throwing a huge party to celebrate one of its biggest experiments in engaging with the world: its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).In this respect, the key priorities of this course are twofold. On the one hand, it will be examined both the domestic situation in China and the Chinese Foreign Policy to understand the president Xi Jinping’s policies remarked over the Politburo's 19th meeting in terms of not being an on-looker, a follower, but rather be a participant, and a leader in the global governance. On the other hand, China is one of the dominant actors in the world and the concept of “zhongguo” – the Middle Kingdom - as China calls itself best describes the Sino-centrist worldview which has in many ways shaped China’s outlook on global governance.In doing so, the course will also take into consideration its relationship with the main global political actors and organizations such as: 1) US; 2) Russia; 3) Central Asia; 4) Indo-Pacific States; 5) EU; 6) Africa; 7) IMF; 8) UN; 9) Eurasia. This methodological approach will allow students to understand to what extent China plays a complex interplay of competition and cooperation in different policies between key actors in economics, politics, and security issues.

Learning Objectives

• THIS COURSE WILL PURSUE THE FOLLOWING MAIN OBJECTIVES: 1) Discuss the theoretical concept of “global order” in IR and Geopolitics. 2) Describe the main features of the Chinese political system in comparative perspective. 3) Examine the strategies and policies of the Chinese leadership. 4) Analyze key features of China’s cooperation/competition in politics, security and economics with the US. 5) Analyze key features of China’s cooperation/competition in politics, security and economics with Russia. 6) Analyze key features of China’s cooperation/competition in politics, security and economics with the EU. 7) Analyze key features of China’s cooperation/competition in politics, security and economics with Central Asia. 8) Analyze key features of China’s cooperation/competition in politics, security and economics with Indo-Pacific States. 9) Analyze key features of China’s cooperation/competition in politics, security and economics with Africa. 10) Analyze key features of China’s cooperation/competition in politics, security and economics with the IMF. 11) Analyze key features of China’s cooperation/competition in politics, security and economics with the UN. 12) Analyze key features of China’s cooperation/competition in politics, security and economics with Eurasia. 13) Focus on the Belt Road Initiative. 14) Outline possible future scenarios for China in the global order.

Expected Learning Outcomes

• knows the main characteristics of the Chinese political system;
• analyzes main traditional and non-traditional threats in the region, and major economic trends defining international order in East Asia;
• finds, analyzes and comprehends new information, proposes theoretical concepts and models explaining practical behavior and policies of key states in the IR, taking into account the growing competition of China with US;
• acquires modern methodology to clarify interests of main regional actors to be able to foresee future development of the international situation;
• Individual study, as well as active in-person attendance to class and activities will enable students to: i) identify, analyse, understand and apply the sources of data and theories dealing with this geopolitical area; ii) understand and analyse the mutual coordination of sources; iii) independently identify and critically evaluate the main issues of China; iv) express in appropriate scientific language.

Course Contents

• Lecture 1 – Course Overview. The main theories and concepts in IR: the revisionist powers. Seminar 1: Challenging the Liberal International Order. The return of Geopolitcs.
• Lecture 2 – Chinese visions of world order. Seminar 2: Xi Jinping’s leadership. Chinese political system: characteristics in comparative perspective.
• Lecture 3 – China’s cooperation/competition with the US, Russia, and the EU. Seminar 3: The unlimited friendship between Russia and China, the Bel Road Initiative and the EU, the US-China competition for shaping a new political order.
• Lecture 4 – China’s cooperation/competition with Central Asia, Indo-Pacific States, and Africa. Seminar 4: China’s cooperation/competition in politics, security and economics with the UN, and Eurasia.
• Lecture 5 – Impact and new scenario of Chinese politics on the International order. Seminar 5: The crises in Ukraine and in the Middle East. The 2024 American presidential elections. A multipolar order vs bipolar order.

Assessment Elements

• Participation in class discussion
  In each lecture and seminar, students have to read at least two articles/chapters/books from the list of the recommended literature. It is highly recommended Apart to read other materials relevant to the course’s general theme and topics. Substantial part of the relevant materials can be found in the web resources’ list below. Students are required actively participate in discussions during seminars.
• the essay
  Students are required to do one written assignment. They must write an analytical essay on any topic that is relevant to the general theme of the course. Students should propose the essay’s subject/title which must be confirmed by the professor. The essay must be between 12 and 15 pages long (around 8000 words).

Interim Assessment

• 2023/2024 2nd module
  0.5 * Participation in class discussion + 0.5 * the essay

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

• V. Ya. Portyakov. (2019). Policy of Foreign Economic Openness in the People’s Republic of China: Main Results and Prospects. Контуры Глобальных Трансформаций: Политика, Экономика, Право, (1), 44. https://doi.org/10.23932/2542-0240-2019-12-1-44-68

Recommended Additional Bibliography

• KACZMARSKI, M. (2017). Non-western visions of regionalism: China’s New Silk Road and Russia’s Eurasian Economic Union. International Affairs, 93(6), 1357–1376. https://doi.org/10.1093/ia/iix182

Authors

• IVANOVA ANASTASIYA SERGEEVNA
• MORINI MARA -