IR492 Half Unit
The Political Economy of China's Technological Rise
This information is for the 2025/26 session.
Availability
This course is available on the MSc in International Political Economy, MSc in International Political Economy (LSE and Sciences Po), MSc in International Political Economy (Research), MSc in International Relations, MSc in International Relations (LSE and Sciences Po) and MSc in International Relations (Research). This course is not available as an outside option to students on other programmes. This course uses controlled access as part of the course selection process.
All International Relations (IR4) optional courses at LSE are Controlled Access and require an application via LfY. Students must include a statement in their LfY application of no more than 200 words explaining their interest in the course and its relevance to their academic and career goals.
Application deadline: 12:00 noon, Friday 26 September 2025.
Notification of outcome: by 12:00 noon, Monday 29 September 2025.
After this date, students should consult the MSc Course Availability Spreadsheet for remaining spaces on IR4-level courses.
For further details, see the LSE Selecting Courses webpage in the first instance or contact IR.Programmes@lse.ac.uk only if necessary.
Course content
This course examines the causes and consequences of China’s rise as an economic and technological great power over the past four decades. It provides a theoretically informed introduction to the political economy of contemporary China and to major debates surrounding China’s relations with the United States and its allies and partners. Topics covered include Chinese industrial and innovation policies, China’s capabilities in core technologies like semiconductors and artificial intelligence, the prospects for U.S.-China economic decoupling, the risk of conflict over Taiwan, the future trajectory of China’s rise, and more.
China’s economic and technological rise may be the defining geopolitical event of the twenty-first century and, as such, will undoubtedly affect students’ future lives and careers regardless of whether they study or work on China-related issues. This course is highly relevant for students interested in careers in policy or business because it will give them a solid understanding of the main features of and issues facing China’s economy, as well as the impact of Chinese domestic and foreign economic policy choices on the future of the world economy. The course will also be of substantive interest to students interested in pursuing a career in academia or other research-oriented professions with a focus on China or international political economy.
Teaching
15 hours of seminars and 10 hours of lectures in the Autumn Term.
This course has a reading week in Week 6 of Autumn Term.
Formative assessment
A mock exam in the AT. The formative mock exam provides students with an opportunity to engage critically with key readings on course topics, and to receive constructive feedback to support their preparation for the summative e-Exam.
Indicative reading
• Farrell, Henry and Abraham Newman. 2019. “Weaponized Interdependence: How Global Economic Networks Shape State Coercion,” International Security, Vol. 44, No. 1, pp. 42-79
• Chen, Ling S. and Miles M. Evers. 2023. “Wars Without Gunsmoke: Global Supply Chains, Power Transitions, and Economic Statecraft,” International Security, pp. 164-204
• Tan, Yeling. 2021. Disaggregating China, Inc.: State Strategies in the Liberal Economic Order. Cornell University Press.
• Cheung, Tai Ming. 2022. Innovate to Dominate: The Rise of the Chinese Techno-Security State. Cornell University Press.
• Klein, Matthew C. and Michael Pettis. 2020. Trade Wars are Class Wars: How Rising Inequality Distorts the Global Economy and Threatens International Peace. Yale University Press.
• Naughton, Barry. 2021. The Rise of China's Industrial Policy, 1978-2020. Universidad Nacional Autónomica de México, Facultad de Economía.
• Wu, Mark. 2016. “The ‘China, Inc.’ Challenge to Global Trade Governance,” Harvard International Law Journal, Vol. 57, No. 20, pp. 261-324
• Miller, Chris. 2022. Chip War: The Fight for the World’s Most Critical Technology. Scribner.
Assessment
Exam (90%), duration: 120 Minutes in the January exam period
Course participation (10%)
The course participation mode of assessment with include in-class discussions and presentations in AT.
Key facts
Department: International Relations
Course Study Period: Autumn Term
Unit value: Half unit
FHEQ Level: Level 7
CEFR Level: Null
Total students 2024/25: 71
Average class size 2024/25: 14
Controlled access 2024/25: NoCourse selection videos
Some departments have produced short videos to introduce their courses. Please refer to the course selection videos index page for further information.
Personal development skills
- Leadership
- Self-management
- Team working
- Problem solving
- Application of information skills
- Communication