The Other Side of the Renminbi: Applying Robert Cox’s Critical Theory to the China-Latin American Relations l O Outro Lado do Renminbi: Aplicando a Teoria Crítica de Robert Cox às Relações entre China e América Latina
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.12957/neiba.2021.58881Keywords:
China, Latin America and the Caribbean, Critical TheoryAbstract
Through literature review and thematic analysis, I investigated the main material capacities, ideas and institutions forming the economic relationship between China, Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). I analyzed the flows of Chinese foreign direct investment, finance and trade into the region, the conflicts caused by Chinese companies and the social forces they involve. I found that this relationship is concentrated in primary sectors, contributing to an inter-industry logic between LAC and China, and deepening an export model based on commodities, which causes considerable environmental impacts in the region. The narrative presented by Chinese and Latin-American leaders, however, is that their cooperation promotes “common development”. I concluded that, despite China’s economic importance to LAC, their relationship perpetuates a pattern of inequality and dependency similar to that of traditional Western powers. Nevertheless, oppressed social forces in the region have been resisting this pattern and developing strategies to build a fairer alternative.
Keywords: China; Latin America and the Caribbean; Critical Theory.
RESUMO
Através de revisão bibliográfica e análise temática, esta pesquisa investigou as principais capacidades materiais, ideias e instituições que formam a relação econômica entre China, América Latina e Caribe (ALC). Eu analisei os fluxos chineses de investimento estrangeiro direto, finanças e comércio, os conflitos causados por empresas chinesas e as forças sociais envolvidas. Descobri que essa relação está concentrada em setores primários, contribuindo para uma lógica interindustrial entre ALC e China, e para o aprofundamento de um modelo de exportação baseado em commodities, causando consideráveis impactos ambientais. A narrativa apresentada por líderes chineses e latino-americanos, porém, é que sua cooperação promove o “desenvolvimento comum”. Concluo que, apesar da importância econômica da China para a ALC, seu relacionamento perpetua um padrão de desigualdade e dependência semelhante ao das potências ocidentais tradicionais. Entretanto, as forças sociais oprimidas latino-americanas têm resistido a esse padrão e desenvolvido estratégias para construir uma alternativa mais justa.
Palavras-chave: China; América Latina e Caribe; Teoria Crítica.
Recebido em: 02/04/2021 | Aceito em: 04/06/2021.
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