The Rise of the Infrastructure State - by Seth Schindler & Jessica Dicarlo

About the Book

Wide-ranging and even-handed, this book offers a fresh interpretation of the territorial logic of US-China rivalry, and explores what it means for countries across Eurasia, Africa, and Latin America.

Book Synopsis

Tensions between the US and China have escalated as both powers seek to draw countries into their respective political and economic orbits by financing and constructing infrastructure. Wide-ranging and even-handed, this book offers a fresh interpretation of the territorial logic of US-China rivalry, and explores what it means for countries across Eurasia, Africa, and Latin America. The chapters demonstrate that many countries navigate the global infrastructure boom by articulating novel spatial objectives and implementing political and economic reforms. By focusing on people and places worldwide, this book broadens perspectives on the US-China rivalry beyond bipolarity. It is an essential guide to 21st century politics.

Review Quotes

"While the world is fast-changing, this book helps us make sense of processes that will shape the future for decades to come." Giles Mohan, The Open University

"A must-read for anyone interested in understanding the global impacts of US-China rivalry. These extraordinarily rich and detailed case studies offer fascinating new insight into how states around the world are navigating the current era of growing geoeconomic competition." Kristen Hopewell, The University of British Columbia

"This path-breaking collection demonstrates how geopolitics and geopolitical power are decidedly grounded in geographical infrastructural projects such as pipes, railroads, freeways, satellite systems, and the like. Such infrastructures are strategic 'dispositifs' in current geopolitical struggles. A must read for those interested in how transformations in geopolitical power are fought over with steel and concrete as pivotal weapons." Erik Swyngedouw, The University of Manchester

About the Author

Seth Schindler is Senior Lecturer in Urban Development and Transformation at the University of Manchester. Jessica DiCarlo is the Chevalier Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Transportation and Development in China at the Institute of Asian Research, School of Public Policy and Global Affairs, at the University of British Columbia.