The Global Political Economy of Emerging Powers: Envisaging a Chinese Model in the Middle East?

Dr. Walid Khalid Abudalbouh   Dr. Mohammad Alqatatsheh   Dr. Hasan Almomani   Dr. Abdulrahman Alfawwaz

Abstract

On the back of rising dissatisfaction across the developing world with the shortcomings of the Bretton Woods development system, many nations, including much of the Middle East, are turning to China as an increasingly preferred provider of development.  China’s rising role as a leading provider of global development has led many to question the implications for global political economy. Assertions abound that Beijing will look to transplant its domestic model of development (complete with its authoritarian accoutrements) to foreign regions, with concerns raised by many about what this poses for the health of global liberal democracy. The Middle East – both as a region of key investment and development focus for China as well as a region with regimes favourable to the authoritarian pillars of China’s development approach – is a key case study that can be used to explore this situation. Accordingly, the question this paper seeks to answer is twofold. Firstly, is there a China Model of emerging development, or set to emerge, in the Middle East. And secondly, what does the presence of this Model, or its alternative if indeed there is no cohesive model, reveal or imply about the future of China’s leadership in the region?  To answer these questions, section 1 first examines whether the concept of a China Model is even an appropriate conception of China’s overseas development approach.  Section 2 builds on the conclusion reached in the previous section and applies it to the Middle East in order to provide a more accurate conception of what China’s approach is.  Section 3 provides discussion, specifically extrapolating the implications of section 2’s findings vis-à-vis China’s potential impact on Middle Eastern political economy.