Free Papers

In this paper, we try to address some of the more worrying perceptions about CPEC, by considering China’s impelling economic and geopolitical motivations behind the initiative.  We put this into historical context by summarizing China’s unprecedented success in transforming its own economy (“The Great Leap Forward”) using a heuristic, trial-and-error style of economic reform.  This is anchored to a long-term macro vision while remaining flexible on how to achieve these goals.  We argue that CPEC’s deliberate vagueness becomes much less alarming when one abandons the “Washington Consensus” view of economic reforms.  We conclude with a consideration of possible future developments (vis-à-vis hard and soft power) for the US, UK and China till 2040.  Word Count: 9,526.

In this paper (published 9 days before the vote) we predict that the UK would leave the EU.  We argue that the EU’s impact on the Britain’s economy and British culture has created a level of resentment within the British public, which will push England to reclaim its unique national identity.  We contend that Brexit may in fact help restore balance to the British economy, which has developed a lop-sided focus on financial services and high-end retail & real estate.  Word Count: 4,374.