The BRI: Transcending Classical Geopolitics Zhimin Chen – Xiaotong Zhang Classical geopolitical theories, as represented by Halford Mackinder’s “Heartland Theory” and Nicholas Spykman’s “Rimland Theory”, put an excessive emphasis on power, and competition between sea power and land power. With the classical geopolitical theories, the BRI is often interpreted as a geopolitical vehicle. However, this contribution argues that the BRI – guided by the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits – goes beyond classical geopolitics. The goal of the BRI is to connect land and sea via a highly complex transportation network, and this connectivity, which is represented by highways, railways, oil and gas pipelines, power grids and sea lanes, aims at constructing a free and open functional zone that connects land and sea. Moreover, it is mainly business laws and the logic of the market, rather than power and wars, that maintain this functional zone. As more countries and regions increase their efforts to develop infrastructure in the context of C O V I D -19, the competing infrastructure projects do not necessarily give rise to geopolitical tensions. Instead, they may lead to “maximal connectivity”, by which countries and regions compete to increase connectivity and finally contribute to overall welfare and economic benefits on a global scale. Journal of Economic Literature (JEL) codes: F00, F01, F02, F10 Keywords: BRI, classical geopolitics, maximal connectivity, facilitative leadership
Zhimin Chen is a Changjiang Scholar and Professor in international politics at the School of International Relations and Public Affairs, Fudan University. He also held a Jean Monnet Chair in European Foreign Policy. Email: zhmchen@fudan.edu.cn. Xiaotong Zhang is a Professor at the Institute of Belt and Road Initiative & Global Governance, Fudan University. Email: zhangxiaotong@fudan.edu.cn
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