Analysis of the One Belt One Road Initiative and its economic and political effects in Latin America

Solorzano Bryan Andres (2021) Analysis of the One Belt One Road Initiative and its economic and political effects in Latin America. Külkereskedelmi Kar.

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Absztrakt (kivonat)

The Belt and Road initiative, OBOR, generates in China, as in other countries, much attention to its development. The Belt and Road is a product of inheritance and extension of the ancient Silk Road, which has acquired a new meaning through its development and changes. It is an initiative that focuses on the economy and more outstanding communication and exchange, reflected in all aspects such as politics, economics, and culture. President Xi Jinping mentioned that this initiative originates in China but belongs to the world and constitutes an open and inclusive platform. It is presented as a public good built by all countries and, although it focuses on Eurasia's continent, and does not exclude or discriminate against any region.China has included Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries into the One Belt One Road after the meeting with the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) in 2015. Since this year, China has reaffirmed its presence in Latin America. Despite the physical and cultural barriers, Beijing has become the leading trading partner of several Latin American countries, and its diplomatic relations with this region are expanding notoriously. The economic and political outcomes that the initiative generates in the region can be contradictory. While specific economic indicators show growth concerning the OBOR and Latin America relationship, China's political influence in certain countries has created waves of corruption. Similarly, while growth is reflected in terms of international treaties and agreements between China and Latin American countries, the region's natural resources continue to be deliberately exploited by companies from the Asian giant and with the authorization of governments tied hands.Due to the late inclusion of the region within the initiative, there is still a scarcity of statistical information on projects, investments, and others on OBOR and LAC. This research is based on a specific period and analyzes different perspectives and theories on the impact that the initiative creates in the region. In terms of economics, following the inclusion of Latin America in the region, the bilateral trade balance between China and LAC countries has returned to a growth pattern after a period of constant fluctuations. Similarly, Beijing's foreign direct investment has stabilized and remained constant in the region, especially in projects that involve natural resources and the logistics to transport them. There is also a considerable number of projects in merchandise and bakeries within the OBOR initiative.The impact generated by the initiative is enormous, although poorly analyzed and studied in the region, even more so when the exploitation of natural resources is transformed into numbers and long-term contracts. Dependence on natural resources to meet the population's demands is a reality in China. Hence, it has the need and the objective of ensuring trade routes, resources, and markets. It is particularly relevant for understanding the strategic objectives that the country pursues with OBOR, free trade, and bilateral agreements that Beijing has signed with various countries in the region.On the other hand, the political effects that the initiative causes in the region are directly related to the influence that China has implanted in various countries in the region, mostly with a socialist tinge, not only in order to expand its One China policy but also to reduce the US hegemonic power. China's interest in strengthening its relations with countries in the region has been very timely and strategically perfect. It seems that the United States take its prevalence in Latin America too much for granted because it has neglected relationships with the region. Under the Trump Administration, it has adopted an increasingly antagonistic position towards its southern neighbors. For instance, in 2018, while the president of the US was absent for the first time withing 20 years of the Summit of the Americas, China strengthened its leadership in the region with the inauguration of its new space base in Argentina, a macro project that shows the economic and strategic potential of this region for China.The thesis consists of four chapters. In the first chapter, research questions, suggest hypotheses, outline research methodology, and discuss existing literature on different theories about the impact of OBOR in Latin America are specified. The second chapter explores the first steps of the initiative in Latin America and its implementation process. The third chapter deals with analyzing the economic effects that OBOR generates in the region, and finally, the OBOR initiative and its political effects in Latin America are analyzed in chapter 4.

Intézmény

Budapesti Gazdasági Egyetem

Kar

Külkereskedelmi Kar

Tanszék

Nemzetközi Kapcsolatok Tanszék

Tudományterület/tudományág

NEM RÉSZLETEZETT

Szak

Nemzetközi Tanulmányok

Mű típusa:	diplomadolgozat (NEM RÉSZLETEZETT)
Kulcsszavak:	Access, analysis, economy, Latin-Amerika, politika
SWORD Depositor:	Archive User
Felhasználói azonosító szám (ID):	Archive User
Rekord készítés dátuma:	2021. Szep. 21. 15:51
Utolsó módosítás:	2022. Okt. 06. 14:34

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