I am Associate Professor and Head of Department of Political Science at the National University of Singapore. My main research area is international political economy, with special interests in trade agreements, regionalism, rising powers, and the World Trade Organization. Phone: +65 6516 3981 Address: National University of Singapore
Faculty of Arts and Sciences
Department of Political Science
AS1, #04-10, 11 Arts Link
Singapore 117570
How have the BRICS, and more broadly the emerging market countries, shaped the functioning govern... more How have the BRICS, and more broadly the emerging market countries, shaped the functioning governance of the global economy? This volume features our current state of knowledge concerning the BRICS and emerging markets in the discourses over global economic governance, rising powers in international politics, and the international political economy. We analyze the role of BRICS countries both as individual actors and interrogate their group dynamics in the governance of trade, investment, finance, the environment, and foreign aid. We also identify research frontiers that call for further scholarly attention.
The international investment agreement regime (IIA Regime) is composed of thousands of IIAs and a... more The international investment agreement regime (IIA Regime) is composed of thousands of IIAs and a system of investor–state dispute settlement. Historically, high-income developing countries (HIDCs) were part of the global South and thus ‘hosts’ of foreign direct investment (FDI). Increasingly, however, these countries have become ‘home’ to investors who are hosted and exposed to political risk abroad. Representing both home and host country interests simultaneously, how do HIDCs balance these crosscutting pressures? We argue that as the position of an HIDC shifts from mostly a recipient towards a sender of significant amounts of FDI, it will be more willing to provide protection to foreign investors at the expense of state regulatory space in its IIAs, thereby increasing its exposure to the IIA Regime. Employing an original data set that measures this exposure for sixty-four HIDCs over six decades, we first show that the degree of HIDC exposure to the IIA Regime varies a great deal. Using a general method of moments (GMM) analysis and controlling for a host of confounding factors, we demonstrate that, indeed, higher levels of FDI outflows as a share of the national economy result in greater exposure to the IIA Regime.
This paper provides an empirical analysis of how the good governance initiatives underlying the E... more This paper provides an empirical analysis of how the good governance initiatives underlying the European Union's sustainable development agenda have affected ratification of the EU-ACP (European Union-African, Caribbean and Pacific) Economic Partnership Agreements in partner countries. In particular, we focus on corruption as a key factor associated with the ratification of EPAs by ACP countries. The theoretical framework advances the argument that the likelihood of ratification is influenced by the adjustment costs a signatory faces in implementing the provisions of a given agreement. Under an environment of high corruption, ACP elites benefit from high tariff levels and weak sustainability standards. EU-ACP EPAs, which entail the lowering of tariffs and improving sustainability standards, would directly clash with the interests of ACP elites and result in hefty adjustment costs. Our analysis shows that this mismatch would mean that in ACP countries where prevailing levels of corruption are high, there would be a decreased likelihood of EPA ratification. While raising questions about the efficacy of tying the EU's trade agreements to a normative agenda, this paper suggests that even for EPA partners with only moderate success in fighting corruption, EPAs may well function as the credible commitment mechanism for such governments to expand trade and attract investment.
Global Value Chains and the Political Economy of WTO Disputes, 2019
This paper investigates how the rise of global value chains (GVCs) in international trade affects... more This paper investigates how the rise of global value chains (GVCs) in international trade affects the political economy of trade disputes. It addresses the gap between the domestic and international politics of trade disputes, which is especially relevant in these times as populist nationalism favors protectionist forces. We advance the argument that firms face institutional disadvantages in opposing protectionist forces at home, as observed in how contesting firms fare in US anti-dumping cases. As a consequence, they have incentive to seek cross-border cooperation with firms along the supply chain to escalate the adoption of anti-dumping measures to WTO disputes. The paper implements a two-stage empirical strategy. First, we examine the political contestation around US anti-dumping cases ongoing in the WTO era that takes place in International Trade Commission (ITC) hearings. We observe that while these cases see significant opposition from firms relying on the imports of intermediate goods, most cases end in favor of petitioners supporting the imposition of anti-dumping duties. In a second step, we quantitatively analyze the effect of intermediate and GVC goods trade in products that are the subjects of anti-dumping cases on the incidence of a formal WTO dispute. The results suggest that the high costs of litigation at the WTO are often prohibitive relative to the volume of trade in question and pose an equally difficult challenge for firms seeking to overturn protectionist measures.
ABOUT THE PROJECT
The Asia-Pacific is home to several major world economies, and is undergoing i... more ABOUT THE PROJECT
The Asia-Pacific is home to several major world economies, and is undergoing increasing social integration. However, the region is also the location for several longstanding inter-state disputes, a number of which involve an ascendant China. These dynamics present challenges to regional cooperation. We will organize a public lecture series by distinguished guest speakers on Japanese strategic thinking and perspectives in the Asia-Pacific (3 September & 30 October 2014), a public symposium (19 November 2014) and an academic workshop followed by a public forum (8-9 January 2015) that examine these issues. Specifically, these events will explore the limitations of current regional frameworks in addressing the tension between a need for enhancing cooperation and the demands for managing rising security concerns. Such an approach seeks to encourage an exchange of ideas that can spur thinking on possible responses to these issues.
Our project will center on the following themes:
1. Security Arrangements The security component of the project will examine the various security challenges facing the Asia-Pacific and explore various possibilities for managing them. Issues for examination include but are not limited to maritime territorial disputes, maritime security, nuclear proliferation, non-traditional security issues, and the effects of the rise of China on existing security arrangements in Asia. There will also be attention to current security arrangements such as the American-centered bi-lateral alliances and strategic partnership system, the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), the proposed ASEAN Security Community (ASC), and the Five Power Defense Arrangement (FPDA).
2. Economic Exchanges The project will highlight the evolving nature of characteristics of regional economic ties, including prospects and current obstacles to furthering collaboration. There will be a particular focus on cooperative economic arrangements in the region such as Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), the China-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA), and the numerous bilateral free trade agreements (FTAs). The work program seeks to integrate as well the politics surrounding bilateral investment treaties and the currency arrangements under the Chiang Mai Initiative, which all contribute as well to the emerging regional architecture of the Asian international political economy. This section of the project also aims to look at the domestic political economies of the Asia-Pacific that ground regional economic relations and the key political actors—especially multinational firms—that are at the center of regional production networks and supply chains Our overall objective is to enhance public awareness and the engagement of a public dialogue on the trade, investment, and financial aspects of the institutional architecture surrounding Asian regional integration.
3. Political and Social Interactions A third element of the project explores the political interactions across the Asia-Pacific, both formal and informal. Discussions will center on dialogue frameworks such as the Trilateral Commission, Northeast Asia Trilateral, the East Asian Summit (EAS), the Six-Party Talks framework, ASEAN, and various ASEAN-centered discussion mechanisms like the ASEAN Plus Three (APT). This part of the program will also consider the relative dearth of organized transnational and societal networks across the Asia-Pacific. The project aspires to provide an overview of the cleavages in the Asia-Pacific alongside the strengths and limitations of regional cooperation across a variety of domains. The project seeks to engage experts from around the Asia-Pacific, including areas such as Japan, the United States, Australia, Southeast Asia, China, and Taiwan. In doing so, the project also aims to raise awareness and spur dialogue on these topics among the public in Singapore.
How have the BRICS, and more broadly the emerging market countries, shaped the functioning govern... more How have the BRICS, and more broadly the emerging market countries, shaped the functioning governance of the global economy? This volume features our current state of knowledge concerning the BRICS and emerging markets in the discourses over global economic governance, rising powers in international politics, and the international political economy. We analyze the role of BRICS countries both as individual actors and interrogate their group dynamics in the governance of trade, investment, finance, the environment, and foreign aid. We also identify research frontiers that call for further scholarly attention.
The international investment agreement regime (IIA Regime) is composed of thousands of IIAs and a... more The international investment agreement regime (IIA Regime) is composed of thousands of IIAs and a system of investor–state dispute settlement. Historically, high-income developing countries (HIDCs) were part of the global South and thus ‘hosts’ of foreign direct investment (FDI). Increasingly, however, these countries have become ‘home’ to investors who are hosted and exposed to political risk abroad. Representing both home and host country interests simultaneously, how do HIDCs balance these crosscutting pressures? We argue that as the position of an HIDC shifts from mostly a recipient towards a sender of significant amounts of FDI, it will be more willing to provide protection to foreign investors at the expense of state regulatory space in its IIAs, thereby increasing its exposure to the IIA Regime. Employing an original data set that measures this exposure for sixty-four HIDCs over six decades, we first show that the degree of HIDC exposure to the IIA Regime varies a great deal. Using a general method of moments (GMM) analysis and controlling for a host of confounding factors, we demonstrate that, indeed, higher levels of FDI outflows as a share of the national economy result in greater exposure to the IIA Regime.
This paper provides an empirical analysis of how the good governance initiatives underlying the E... more This paper provides an empirical analysis of how the good governance initiatives underlying the European Union's sustainable development agenda have affected ratification of the EU-ACP (European Union-African, Caribbean and Pacific) Economic Partnership Agreements in partner countries. In particular, we focus on corruption as a key factor associated with the ratification of EPAs by ACP countries. The theoretical framework advances the argument that the likelihood of ratification is influenced by the adjustment costs a signatory faces in implementing the provisions of a given agreement. Under an environment of high corruption, ACP elites benefit from high tariff levels and weak sustainability standards. EU-ACP EPAs, which entail the lowering of tariffs and improving sustainability standards, would directly clash with the interests of ACP elites and result in hefty adjustment costs. Our analysis shows that this mismatch would mean that in ACP countries where prevailing levels of corruption are high, there would be a decreased likelihood of EPA ratification. While raising questions about the efficacy of tying the EU's trade agreements to a normative agenda, this paper suggests that even for EPA partners with only moderate success in fighting corruption, EPAs may well function as the credible commitment mechanism for such governments to expand trade and attract investment.
Global Value Chains and the Political Economy of WTO Disputes, 2019
This paper investigates how the rise of global value chains (GVCs) in international trade affects... more This paper investigates how the rise of global value chains (GVCs) in international trade affects the political economy of trade disputes. It addresses the gap between the domestic and international politics of trade disputes, which is especially relevant in these times as populist nationalism favors protectionist forces. We advance the argument that firms face institutional disadvantages in opposing protectionist forces at home, as observed in how contesting firms fare in US anti-dumping cases. As a consequence, they have incentive to seek cross-border cooperation with firms along the supply chain to escalate the adoption of anti-dumping measures to WTO disputes. The paper implements a two-stage empirical strategy. First, we examine the political contestation around US anti-dumping cases ongoing in the WTO era that takes place in International Trade Commission (ITC) hearings. We observe that while these cases see significant opposition from firms relying on the imports of intermediate goods, most cases end in favor of petitioners supporting the imposition of anti-dumping duties. In a second step, we quantitatively analyze the effect of intermediate and GVC goods trade in products that are the subjects of anti-dumping cases on the incidence of a formal WTO dispute. The results suggest that the high costs of litigation at the WTO are often prohibitive relative to the volume of trade in question and pose an equally difficult challenge for firms seeking to overturn protectionist measures.
ABOUT THE PROJECT
The Asia-Pacific is home to several major world economies, and is undergoing i... more ABOUT THE PROJECT
The Asia-Pacific is home to several major world economies, and is undergoing increasing social integration. However, the region is also the location for several longstanding inter-state disputes, a number of which involve an ascendant China. These dynamics present challenges to regional cooperation. We will organize a public lecture series by distinguished guest speakers on Japanese strategic thinking and perspectives in the Asia-Pacific (3 September & 30 October 2014), a public symposium (19 November 2014) and an academic workshop followed by a public forum (8-9 January 2015) that examine these issues. Specifically, these events will explore the limitations of current regional frameworks in addressing the tension between a need for enhancing cooperation and the demands for managing rising security concerns. Such an approach seeks to encourage an exchange of ideas that can spur thinking on possible responses to these issues.
Our project will center on the following themes:
1. Security Arrangements The security component of the project will examine the various security challenges facing the Asia-Pacific and explore various possibilities for managing them. Issues for examination include but are not limited to maritime territorial disputes, maritime security, nuclear proliferation, non-traditional security issues, and the effects of the rise of China on existing security arrangements in Asia. There will also be attention to current security arrangements such as the American-centered bi-lateral alliances and strategic partnership system, the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), the proposed ASEAN Security Community (ASC), and the Five Power Defense Arrangement (FPDA).
2. Economic Exchanges The project will highlight the evolving nature of characteristics of regional economic ties, including prospects and current obstacles to furthering collaboration. There will be a particular focus on cooperative economic arrangements in the region such as Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), the China-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA), and the numerous bilateral free trade agreements (FTAs). The work program seeks to integrate as well the politics surrounding bilateral investment treaties and the currency arrangements under the Chiang Mai Initiative, which all contribute as well to the emerging regional architecture of the Asian international political economy. This section of the project also aims to look at the domestic political economies of the Asia-Pacific that ground regional economic relations and the key political actors—especially multinational firms—that are at the center of regional production networks and supply chains Our overall objective is to enhance public awareness and the engagement of a public dialogue on the trade, investment, and financial aspects of the institutional architecture surrounding Asian regional integration.
3. Political and Social Interactions A third element of the project explores the political interactions across the Asia-Pacific, both formal and informal. Discussions will center on dialogue frameworks such as the Trilateral Commission, Northeast Asia Trilateral, the East Asian Summit (EAS), the Six-Party Talks framework, ASEAN, and various ASEAN-centered discussion mechanisms like the ASEAN Plus Three (APT). This part of the program will also consider the relative dearth of organized transnational and societal networks across the Asia-Pacific. The project aspires to provide an overview of the cleavages in the Asia-Pacific alongside the strengths and limitations of regional cooperation across a variety of domains. The project seeks to engage experts from around the Asia-Pacific, including areas such as Japan, the United States, Australia, Southeast Asia, China, and Taiwan. In doing so, the project also aims to raise awareness and spur dialogue on these topics among the public in Singapore.
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The Asia-Pacific is home to several major world economies, and is undergoing increasing social integration. However, the region is also the location for several longstanding inter-state disputes, a number of which involve an ascendant China. These dynamics present challenges to regional cooperation. We will organize a public lecture series by distinguished guest speakers on Japanese strategic thinking and perspectives in the Asia-Pacific (3 September & 30 October 2014), a public symposium (19 November 2014) and an academic workshop followed by a public forum (8-9 January 2015) that examine these issues. Specifically, these events will explore the limitations of current regional frameworks in addressing the tension between a need for enhancing cooperation and the demands for managing rising security concerns. Such an approach seeks to encourage an exchange of ideas that can spur thinking on possible responses to these issues.
Our project will center on the following themes:
1. Security Arrangements
The security component of the project will examine the various security challenges facing the Asia-Pacific and explore various possibilities for managing them. Issues for examination include but are not limited to maritime territorial disputes, maritime security, nuclear proliferation, non-traditional security issues, and the effects of the rise of China on existing security arrangements in Asia. There will also be attention to current security arrangements such as the American-centered bi-lateral alliances and strategic partnership system, the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), the proposed ASEAN Security Community (ASC), and the Five Power Defense Arrangement (FPDA).
2. Economic Exchanges
The project will highlight the evolving nature of characteristics of regional economic ties, including prospects and current obstacles to furthering collaboration. There will be a particular focus on cooperative economic arrangements in the region such as Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), the China-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA), and the numerous bilateral free trade agreements (FTAs). The work program seeks to integrate as well the politics surrounding bilateral investment treaties and the currency arrangements under the Chiang Mai Initiative, which all contribute as well to the emerging regional architecture of the Asian international political economy. This section of the project also aims to look at the domestic political economies of the Asia-Pacific that ground regional economic relations and the key political actors—especially multinational firms—that are at the center of regional production networks and supply chains Our overall objective is to enhance public awareness and the engagement of a public dialogue on the trade, investment, and financial aspects of the institutional architecture surrounding Asian regional integration.
3. Political and Social Interactions
A third element of the project explores the political interactions across the Asia-Pacific, both formal and informal. Discussions will center on dialogue frameworks such as the Trilateral Commission, Northeast Asia Trilateral, the East Asian Summit (EAS), the Six-Party Talks framework, ASEAN, and various ASEAN-centered discussion mechanisms like the ASEAN Plus Three (APT). This part of the program will also consider the relative dearth of organized transnational and societal networks across the Asia-Pacific.
The project aspires to provide an overview of the cleavages in the Asia-Pacific alongside the strengths and limitations of regional cooperation across a variety of domains. The project seeks to engage experts from around the Asia-Pacific, including areas such as Japan, the United States, Australia, Southeast Asia, China, and Taiwan. In doing so, the project also aims to raise awareness and spur dialogue on these topics among the public in Singapore.
The Asia-Pacific is home to several major world economies, and is undergoing increasing social integration. However, the region is also the location for several longstanding inter-state disputes, a number of which involve an ascendant China. These dynamics present challenges to regional cooperation. We will organize a public lecture series by distinguished guest speakers on Japanese strategic thinking and perspectives in the Asia-Pacific (3 September & 30 October 2014), a public symposium (19 November 2014) and an academic workshop followed by a public forum (8-9 January 2015) that examine these issues. Specifically, these events will explore the limitations of current regional frameworks in addressing the tension between a need for enhancing cooperation and the demands for managing rising security concerns. Such an approach seeks to encourage an exchange of ideas that can spur thinking on possible responses to these issues.
Our project will center on the following themes:
1. Security Arrangements
The security component of the project will examine the various security challenges facing the Asia-Pacific and explore various possibilities for managing them. Issues for examination include but are not limited to maritime territorial disputes, maritime security, nuclear proliferation, non-traditional security issues, and the effects of the rise of China on existing security arrangements in Asia. There will also be attention to current security arrangements such as the American-centered bi-lateral alliances and strategic partnership system, the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), the proposed ASEAN Security Community (ASC), and the Five Power Defense Arrangement (FPDA).
2. Economic Exchanges
The project will highlight the evolving nature of characteristics of regional economic ties, including prospects and current obstacles to furthering collaboration. There will be a particular focus on cooperative economic arrangements in the region such as Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), the China-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA), and the numerous bilateral free trade agreements (FTAs). The work program seeks to integrate as well the politics surrounding bilateral investment treaties and the currency arrangements under the Chiang Mai Initiative, which all contribute as well to the emerging regional architecture of the Asian international political economy. This section of the project also aims to look at the domestic political economies of the Asia-Pacific that ground regional economic relations and the key political actors—especially multinational firms—that are at the center of regional production networks and supply chains Our overall objective is to enhance public awareness and the engagement of a public dialogue on the trade, investment, and financial aspects of the institutional architecture surrounding Asian regional integration.
3. Political and Social Interactions
A third element of the project explores the political interactions across the Asia-Pacific, both formal and informal. Discussions will center on dialogue frameworks such as the Trilateral Commission, Northeast Asia Trilateral, the East Asian Summit (EAS), the Six-Party Talks framework, ASEAN, and various ASEAN-centered discussion mechanisms like the ASEAN Plus Three (APT). This part of the program will also consider the relative dearth of organized transnational and societal networks across the Asia-Pacific.
The project aspires to provide an overview of the cleavages in the Asia-Pacific alongside the strengths and limitations of regional cooperation across a variety of domains. The project seeks to engage experts from around the Asia-Pacific, including areas such as Japan, the United States, Australia, Southeast Asia, China, and Taiwan. In doing so, the project also aims to raise awareness and spur dialogue on these topics among the public in Singapore.