国际政治经济学：金砖国家与新兴世界秩序
课程教师
Gregory T. Chin
教师简介
Professor Gregory T. Chin is an Associate Professor of Political Science/Political Economy at York University, Canada, and he specializes on the political economy of international money and development finance, China, Asia, the BRICS, and global governance. He is considered as a world leading expert on the BRICS, and the New Development Bank. Chin has published widely on the BRICS in leading journals such as Review of International Political Economy, Global Policy, International Affairs, Global Governance, and he is the coauthor of the forthcoming book, China and the Bretton Woods Order (Cambridge University Press, 2025).He has taught the Doctoral and Master’s level course on the Political Economy of the BRICS at York University since 2015. Chin is regularly invited to present his BRICS research around the world, including most recently in November 2024 at the London School of Economics and Political Science, and in December 2024 at The University of Hong Kong. Dr. Chin is a former official of the Government of Canada, including at the Canadian Embassy in Beijing as First Secretary/Development (2003-2006).
课程内容
This course examines the global rise of the “BRICS” – Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa – and the emerging world order, giving attention to contending IPE theoretical perspectives. The main themes to be assessed are, first, the respective strengths and weaknesses of the competing IPE perspectives and related research agendas in the study of the BRICS as a global phenomenon and related impacts and consequences at the world order level. Second, the historical, structural, ideational, institutional factors, both domestic and global, which have catalyzed and conditioned the rise of the BRICS. Third, the international power and diplomatic capabilities of the BRICS nations, and their fundamental strengths and limitations as global actors. Fourth, the BRICS as a serious collective force, and transformational force, or not, or to what degree. Fifth, comparing the contemporary BRICS and other preceding collective efforts from the Global South (e.g. Bandung, NIEO), and whether the BRICS offer viable solutions for other countries this time. In addition to contending IPE perspectives and research agendas, attention throughout the course will be given to the global public policy recommendations that are generated from the contending perspectives, encompassing the more conventional approaches of Realism and Liberal Institutionalism, and the non-conventional approaches and perspectives.
课程安排
PART 1: THE BRICS – CONCEPT & CONTENDING PERSPECTIVES |
Day 1: Setting the Scene: The BRICS, The Idea, The Debate, Naysayers and Proponents Discussion: 1. What is your impression about BRICS based on the commentaries below? 2. Do the BRICS matter? If not, why not? If so, why and how? Required Readings:Naysayers
Something is worth studying…? |
Day 2: The ‘Word’, ‘Conventional’ Perspectives & Research Agendas: IR Realism and Liberal Institutionalism Discussion: 1. Where, or from whom, did the concept or idea of “BRICs” come from? 2. How do the main ‘conventional’ International Relations and IPE approaches frame the issue of the BRICS as a subject area for scholarly analysis? 3. What are the policy implications and policy recommendations of the main conventional IR and IPE perspectives? Required Readings: The Word Conventional Debate
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Day 3: Heterodox Perspectives & Research Agendas: Green, Neo-Dependency, Robert Cox’s Civilizational Historicism Discussion: 1. What are the main elements and goals of a green approach? Is a green perspective relevant to the study of the BRICS? 2. What are the main elements and findings of a neo-dependency approach? 3. What are the main elements of Robert Cox’s ‘critical political economy’ approach? Is Robert Cox’s approach relevant to the study of the BRICS? If not, why not? If so, why and how? Required Readings:
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PART 2: RISE OF THE BRICS |
Day 4: Domestic Factors in the Rise of China, India, Brazil, South Africa – National Developmentalism Discussion: 1. Are the BRICS following the neoliberal model? 2. Do the BRICS countries exhibit any development characteristics similar to the developmental states? 3. Does South Africa mirror the national development experiences of the other BRICS countries? 4. What are the domestic characteristics of the BRICS state-societal relations? 5. How are the BRICS classified in the ‘varieties of capitalism’ scholarly literature? Required Readings:
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Day 5: The Global Dimensions of the Rise of China, India, Brazil, Russia Discussion: 1. How did China adjust to the challenges of globalization in key industries? 2. What are the main factors behind China’s rise as a financial power? 3. What are the main financial institutions involved in the globalization of Chinese development finance? 4. How is India positioning internationally in relation to the other BRICS? 5. What are the main elements of Brazilian international leadership? 6. What are Russia’s foreign and security policy goals? Required Readings:
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Day 6: The BRICS as Environmental and Climate Advocates, New Industrialization, and Digitalization/AI Discussion: 1. Which BRICS country is a leader on environmental protection and climate change reversal? What key roles have they played internationally? 2. Are the BRICS countries innovators? Or just copiers? 3. Among the BRICS, which country is leading the charge on the new industrial revolution? 4. What is the approach of the BRICS countries on big data, digitalization of society, and AI? Required Readings:
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PART 3: INSTITUTIONAL INNOVATORS |
Day 7: Creating New Financial Institutions of the BRICS: NDB and CRA Discussion: 1.What is the CRA? Who were the driving and key actors in creating the CRA? 2. What is the NDB? Who were the driving and key actors in creating the NDB? 3. Do the NDB and the CRA matter? 4. Are the CRA and the NDB the same as the World Bank and the IMF? How would we know? 5. What are the different dimensions of the evolution of the NDB? 6. Which BRICS members supported NDB expansion? 7. What are the main criteria for NDB membership? 8. Which countries are considering NDB membership? Required Readings:
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Day 8: BRICS as Global Monetary Innovators Discussion: 1. Why are BRICS governments interested in local currency use? 2. How have BRICS countries experimented with local currency use? 3. Has the NDB contributed to the local currency use agenda of the BRICS? 4. How serious is the interest of the BRICS in local currency use? Is there variation in the degree of interest among the BRICS? 5. Who came up with the idea of a BRICS currency, and why? 6. What elements would be required for a BRICS currency? 7. How realistic is a BRICS currency? If a realistic possibility, how and why? If not, why? 8. Who opposes the BRICS currency within the grouping? What are the main obstacles and constraints? Required Readings:
NDB & Local Currency Use ‘BRICS’ Currency |
Day 9: Examination |
Day 10: BRICS as Geopolitical Force, and Emerging Future Discussion: 1. What are the main emerging trends and patterns shaping the BRICS moving forward? 2. What are the main strategic decisions facing the BRICS as a grouping, looking ahead? 3. What are the main factors working in favour of more collective action? Is the US catalyzing BRICS cooperation? 4. What are the main obstacles in the way of more collective action? 5. Should one be optimistic or pessimistic about the future of the BRICS? Required Readings:
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