Beyond the ''rise of China'': the political economy of infrastructure in Southeast Asia

Considerable attention – and anxiety – in Western media and policymaking has focused on large-scale Chinese investment in Global South infrastructure under the Belt and Road Initiative. But preoccupation with the ‘‘rise of China’’ obscures the influence of domestic oligopolies and the major US and Japanese businesses that dominate infrastructure in China’s backyard – Southeast Asia.

In this talk, Professor John Sidel discusses these key features of infrastructure politics in the region through the lenses of rent capitalism and railway and telegraph imperialism, with a focus on the Philippines.

Professor John Sidel is Sir Patrick Gillam Chair in International and Comparative Politics and Director of the Saw Swee Hock Southeast Asia Centre. He is a specialist on Southeast Asia and has conducted extensive research in Indonesia and the Philippines in particular.

Catch up on YouTube

View the full playlist of past Research Showcase events.

LSE holds a wide range of events, covering many of the most controversial issues of the day, and speakers at our events may express views that cause offence. The views expressed by speakers at LSE events do not reflect the position or views of the London School of Economics and Political Science.