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The Belt and Road as political technology: Power and economy in Pakistan and Tajikistan

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  • Hasan H Karrar

    (Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), Pakistan)

  • Till Mostowlansky

Abstract

While celebrated as a new ‘win-win’ initiative, Belt and Road narratives sidestep the fact that current investment regimes originating in China must contour to existing political economies in host countries. Drawing on the examples of Pakistan and Tajikistan, both of which share land borders with China, and both of which have been eager recipients of recent Chinese investments, we forward two arguments: (1) In both countries the narrative of connectivity promoted through the Belt and Road Initiative builds on previous bilateral engagements with China. (2) Within Pakistan and Tajikistan, engagement with China has enabled the utilization of BRI as a political technology for domestic purposes, with the attempt to rule, re-define, order and exploit. Put differently, new investments from China serve to consolidate existing authority structures.

Suggested Citation

  • Hasan H Karrar & Till Mostowlansky, 2020. "The Belt and Road as political technology: Power and economy in Pakistan and Tajikistan," Environment and Planning C, , vol. 38(5), pages 834-839, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:envirc:v:38:y:2020:i:5:p:834-839
    DOI: 10.1177/2399654420911410f
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