The Future of Multilateralism and Globalization in the Age of the U.S.—China Rivalry

Despite the growing consensus that the rise of China is transforming international relations, policy makers and scholars have not sufficiently addressed the geopolitical and geoeconomic implications of a new paradigm, especially since the Covid-19 pandemic and the Russo-Ukrainian war. This book fills this gap.

This is an original and innovative book that investigates how a new modus vivendi between China and the United States in a post-globalized world requires more economic independence because of the distrust between G20 economies but heightened international cooperation, in order to avert a shift to nationalism and protectionism and to fight financial and climate crises.

The book is divided into four parts. Part I investigates the specific features of Chinese and U.S. capitalisms; Part II argues that several flaws observed in the multilateral architecture since the early 2000s have caused global imbalances and increased misunderstanding and mistrust between the two superpowers; Part III analyzes how the China-U.S. rivalry has manifested in Asia, Latin America, and in terms of global development finance and finally, Part IV provides a blueprint for a successful and revamped international order. The book provides an ambitious interdisciplinary analysis of the future of multilateralism and globalization with contributions from economists, lawyers, and political scientists.

Due to its multidisciplinary approach, the book will attract the interest of scholars and postgraduate students from wide ranging fields, as well as practitioners working in international organizations, policy makers and more generally educated lay readers interested in the topic.

Norbert Gaillard is an economist and independent consultant (www.norbertgaillard.com).

Fumihito Gotoh is a Lecturer in East Asian Studies at the University of Sheffield.

Rick Michalek is a New York-based independent legal and financial consultant.