China and Latin America: Development, Agency and Geopolitics

by C. Alden, and A. Mendez
Bloomsbury, 2023

In this detailed and up-to-the-minute investigation, Chris Alden, author of the critically acclaimed China in Africa, and Alvaro Mendez, leading expert in the international relations of Latin America, look at the interests, strategies and practices of China's incoming power. What can be learned by comparing Latin America with other developing regions in which China has had significant economic ties and a growing diplomatic stake? Does Beijing's approach to Latin America really differ, as is often claimed by Chinese leaders, from its approach to Africa? And more broadly, how should we read the curious and uneven decline of both the US and Europe as actors in the region?

South Africa–China Relations: A Partnership of Paradoxes

by C. Alden, and YS. Wu
Springer, 2021

Involves predominantly South African authors with knowledge and expertise on the topic of relations with China, allowing them to better interact with a local and African audience

Links societal and economic levels, seeking to merge the policymaking space with concerns of everyday citizens

Considers contemporary debates, trends and questions, such as the 2018 launch of the suspension bridge between South Africa and Mozambique that was built and funded by Chinese investment.

New diplomatic relations between Panama and China: geopolitical and socioeconomic implications

By L.C. Herrera, M. Montenegro, C. Alden, A. Mendez, V. Torres–Lista

Since Panama established diplomatic relations with China in June 2017, the two countries have developed a fairly strong diplomatic relationship. This edited book by scholars in Panama and in the UK explores the geopolitical and socioeconomic implications of the bilateral agenda. It analyses China’s efforts to recruit the global South, including Panama, into its ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). It also uniquely provides a comparative chapter of Costa Rica, Argentina, Malaysia and Djibouti and their complex relationship with Beijing.

The Political Economy of China-Latin America Relations

by Alvaro Mendez and Mariano Turzi
Palgrave Macmillan, 2020

The book explores the ways in which Latin American states are capitalizing or failing to capitalize on the initiatives of China in world affairs. The authors hypothesize that a dearth of regional agency and social construction, and a consequent institutional deficit in foreign relations, characterizes Latin America and its inadequate reaction to Chinese agency. 

New directions in Africa-China Studies

by Chris Alden & Daniel Large (Eds.)
Abingdon, UK: Routledge, 2019

Interest in China and Africa is growing exponentially. Taking a step back from the ‘events-driven’ reactions characterizing much coverage, this timely book reflects more deeply on questions concerning how this subject has been, is being and can be studied.

It offers a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary and authoritative contribution to Africa–China studies. Its diverse chapters explore key current research themes and debates, such as agency, media, race, ivory, development or security, using a variety of case studies from Benin, Kenya and Tanzania, to Angola, Mozambique and Mauritius. Looking back, it explores the evolution of studies about Africa and China. Looking forward, it explores alternative, future possibilities for a complex and constantly evolving subject.

New Development Assistance: Emerging Economies and the New Landscape of Development Assistance.

by Yijia Jing, Alvaro Mendez & Yu Zheng (Eds.)
Basingstoke, UK: Palgrave Macmillan, 2020

This book explores the changing face of development assistance. China's One Belt, One Road development program is the largest international investment scheme in history, surpassing the Marshall Plan by an order of magnitude. In 2017, a group of top scholars from Fudan, the London School of Economics, and other institutions like the Institute of Development Studies, Australian National University, and World Bank gathered to share findings and ideas about the nature of New Development Assistance. A compilation of their findings, this book will be of interest to NGOs, policymakers, and academics.

La Conexión China en la Política Exterior del Perú en el Siglo XXI

by Javier Alcalde, Chris Alden, Angelica Guerra & Alvaro Mendez (Eds.)
Lima, Perú: Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú, 2019

This book brings together the contributions of speakers invited by the London School of Economics Global South Unit, the Institute of International Studies, the School of Government of the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru, and the academic, diplomatic and business sectors of Peru, to the international seminar that bears the same name, held in May 2016, in Lima (Peru).

China and Africa - Building Peace and Security Cooperation on the Continent

Editors: Alden, C., Alao, A., Chun, Z., Barber, L. 

This book investigates the expanding involvement of China in security cooperation in Africa. Drawing on leading and emerging scholars in the field, the volume uses a combination of analytical insights and case studies to unpack the complexity of security challenges confronting China and the continent. It interrogates how security considerations impact upon the growing economic and social links China has developed with African states.

By Chris Alden, Amnon Aran

Building on the success of the first edition, this revised volume re-invigorates the conversation between foreign policy analysis and international relations. It opens up the discussion, situating existing debates in foreign policy in relation to contemporary concerns in international relations, and provides a concise and accessible account of key areas in foreign policy analysis that are often ignored. Focusing on how foreign policy decision making affects the conduct of states in the international system, and analysing the relationship between policy, agency and actors, the volume examines:

• foreign policy and bureaucracies
• domestic sources of foreign policy
• foreign policy and the state
• foreign policy and globalization
• foreign policy and change.

This second edition builds on and expands the theoretical canvas of foreign policy analysis, shaping its ongoing dialogue with international relations and offering an important introduction to the field. It is essential reading for all students of foreign policy and international relations.

The China-Latin America Axis: Emerging Markets and their Role in an Increasingly Globalised World

This second edition authored by Dr Álvaro Méndez and Dr Gastón Fornes explores and accounts for the many changes in the emerging markets of China and the Latin American countries since 2011. Taking account of the major developments such as the rapid expansion of the Chinese state and the ongoing effects of the world recession, the authors will present up-to-date case studies and data on both Chinese and Latin American companies, including updates on those included in the first edition and presenting new innovative start-ups. Including an international relations perspective alongside business strategy and global markets, The China-Latin America Axis 2nd edition presents the drastic changes in the globalized economy in the past 5 years. 

Colombian Agency and the making of US Foreign Policy: Intervention by Invitation

This book authored by Dr Álvaro Méndez studies a significant event in US relations with Latin America, shedding light on the role of dependent states and their foreign policy agency in the process by which local concerns become intertwined with the dominant state’s foreign policy. Plan Colombia was a large-scale foreign aid programme through which the US intervened in the internal affairs of Colombia, by invitation. It proved to be one of the major successes of US foreign policy, and has been credited with stemming a potentially catastrophic security failure of the Colombian state.

China and  Mozambique: From Comrades to Capitalists

New Edited volume by Dr Chris Alden and Dr Sergio Chichava, "China and Mozambique drills down into the heart of a relationship whose growing depth and complexity exposes key themes that will affect Africa’s future development."

Mercenaries, Hybrid Armies and National Security

This book, authored by Dr Caroline Varin, assesses the use of ‘mercenaries’ by states, and their integration into the national armed forces as part of a new hybridisation trend of contemporary armies in the 'Global South' as well as in Western societies. 

Russia’s Backyard: China and Central Asia after the Invasion of Ukraine

by A. Mendez

in The Great Power Competition Volume 5, Springer, 2023, pp199-216

China and Latin America: Diplomacy, Trade and Geopolitics (translated from Spanish)

by A. Mendez and F.J. Forcadell

in América Latina: Mirar al futuro
Fundacion Felipe Gonzales (2022)

Geopolitics in Central America: China and El Salvador in the 21st century

by A. Mendez

in China-Latin America and the Caribbean: Assessment and Outlook, Taylor and Francis, 2021, pp 207-221

The drive for Chinese investments in agriculture: comparing South Africa to the continent

by A. Harding, L. Jiang, W. Anseeuw, C Alden

in South Africa–China Relations: A Partnership of Paradoxes, Palgrave Macmillan, 2021, pp179-198

Leadership, Global Agendas and Domestic Determinants of South Africa’s Foreign Policy Towards China: The Zuma and Ramaphosa Years

by C. Alden, YS. Wu

in South Africa–China Relations: A Partnership of Paradoxes, Palgrave Macmillan, 2021, pp37-63

Studying China-Africa/Africa-China Relations

by Chris Alden, & Daniel Large

In Chris Alden & Daniel Large (Eds.), New directions in Africa-China Studies (pp. 3-36). Abingdon, UK: Routledge, 2019.

The Western Way of Development: A Critical Review

by Chris Alden, Daniel Large & Alvaro Mendez

In Yijia Jing, Alvaro Mendez, & Yu Zheng (Eds.), New Development Assistance: Emerging Economies and the New Landscape of Development Assistance (pp. 19-38). Basingstoke, UK: Palgrave Macmillan, 2019

New Development Assistance in the Making: An Introduction

by Yijia Jing, Alvaro Mendez & Yu Zheng

In Yijia Jing, Alvaro Mendez, & Yu Zheng (Eds.), New Development Assistance: Emerging Economies and the New Landscape of Development Assistance (pp. 1-18). Basingstoke, UK: Palgrave Macmillan, 2019

Introducción: Análisis de la Política Exterior de Perú hacia China en el siglo XXI

by Alvaro Mendez, Javier Alcalde & Chris Alden

In Javier Alcalde, Chris Alden, Angelica Guerra-Baron, & Alvaro Mendez (Eds.), La Conexión China en la Política Exterior del Perú en el siglo XXI (pp. 13-24). Lima, Perú: Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú, 2019

Perú, China y la nueva multipolaridad – navegar en la política internacional en tiempos inciertos

by Chris Alden & Alvaro Mendez

In Javier Alcalde, Chris Alden, Angelica Guerra-Baron, & Alvaro Mendez (Eds.), La Conexión China en la Política Exterior del Perú en el siglo XXI (pp. 278-307). Lima, Perú: Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú, 2019

Evolving Debates and Outlooks on China-Africa Economic Ties

by C. Alden

In A. Oqubay & J. Y. Lin (Eds.), China-Africa and an Economic Transformation (pp. 84-97). Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press, 2019

Crisis of democracy: beyond malaise and autocratization

by Gaspardo Murilo 

LSE GSU Working Paper  Vol 10 No 2

Is Mexico replacing China in US supply chains? 

by Hanzhen Ouyang and Shuo Shi

LSE GSU Working Paper  Vol 10 No 1

Global Megatrends That Challenge Latin America

by G. Fernandez de Soto and A. Rugeles

LSE GSU Working Paper Vol 9, No 3

Sustainability and Trust: Financial Inclusion in the Global South

by F. Ubeda, A. Méndez, and F. J. Forcadell

LSE GSU Working Paper Vol 9, No 2

Explaining the Persistence of Illegal Chinese Mining in Ghana: The Efficacious Role of Local Patrons

by N. Ocquaye

LSE GSU Working Paper Vol 9, No 1

The Sustainable Practices of Multinational Banks as Drivers of Financial Inclusion in Developing Countries

by F. Ubeda, A. Méndez, and F. J. Forcadell

LSE GSU Working Paper Vol 8, No 1

China-US economic war: opportunities for the Andean Community beyond the decoupling process

by D. Agramont Lechín

LSE GSU Working Paper Vol 8, No 2

Comparative study of Costa Rica, Argentina, Malaysia, Djibouti and their complex relationship with China: advantages, disadvantages and lessons learned

by C. Alden and A. Méndez

LSE GSU Working Paper 05/2021

The diplomatic context between China and Panama and their agreements

by Luis Carlos Herrera, Markelda Montenegro and Virginia Torres-Lista

Working Paper 03/2020

Understanding debt and diplomacy: China, 'debt traps' and development in the Global South

by C. Alden

Working Paper 01/2020

Myths of Multipolarity: The sources of Brazilian Overexpansion

by Luis L Schenoni, Dawisson Belém Lopes, and Guilherme Casarões

LSE Global South Unit Working Paper Series
edited by Alvaro Mendez and Chris Alden
UK: LSE IDEAS, 2019

Trans-Regional Cooperation in a Multipolar World:
How is the Belt and Road Initiative Relevant to Latin America?

by Adriana Erthal Abdenur and Ariel Gonzalez Levaggi

WPS-01-2018

The growing Chinese presence in Latin America and its (Geo)political manifestations in Bolivia

by Daniel Agramont and Gustavo Bonifaz

WPS-02-2018

'The Development-Insecurity Nexus: Geo-economic Transformations and Violence in Myanmar'

by David Brener

WPS 01-2017

'CSR and S&E engagement in emerging economies: Analysis of a case study based in China'

by Gastón Fornes.

WPS 04-2016.

'Passive agents? Bureaucratic agency in Africa-China negotiations: A case study of Benin' 

by Folashadé Soulé-Kohndou.

WPS 03-2016.

'Civil Society Organisations’ Political Control over Brazil and Japan’s Development Cooperation in Mozambique: More than a mere whim?' 

by Sérgio Chichava and Jimena Durán.

WPS 02-2016.

'Early Lessons from the Colombian Peace Process'

by Andrés Ucrós Maldonado.

WPS 01-2016.

'Change and Continuity in Chinese Foreign Policy: China’s Engagement in the Libyan Civil War as a Case Study'

by Jian Junbo and Álvaro Méndez.

WPS 05-2015.

'The Origins of Nuclear Cooperation between Brazil and Argentina' 

by Matias Spektor.

WPS 04-2015.

'A comparative study of foreign economic policies: The CIVETS countries' 

by Angélica Guerra-Barón and Álvaro Méndez.

WPS 03-2015.

'Reshaping the Financial Architecture for Development Finance. The New Development Banks' 

by Rajiv Biswas.

WPS 02-2015.

'Regional Organizations and Security Governance: A Comparative Assessment of IGAD and ASEAN' 

by Asnake Kefale. 

WPS 01-2015.

'Strategies and Counter-strategies: China in the Andean Region of South America'  

by  Ádam Chimienti and Benjamin Creutzfeldt.

WPS 01-2014.

Navigating Argentina's BRICS Entry: between domestic dynamics and geopolitical Implications

By Ariel González Levaggi and Tomás Múgica

PBS 02-2023

October 2023

Towards a consensus of the Global South

By Andrés Rugeles

PBS 01-2023

July 2023

The discrete role of Latin America in the globalization process

By Iliana Olivié and Manuel Gracía.

PBS 01-2018

December 2017

The Long Crisis Facing Emerging Markets: A Roadmap for Policy Reforms.

by Rajiv Biswas and Álvaro Méndez 

PBS 01-2016

January 2016

Comparative advantages and challenges of regional developmental banks: The CAF experience.

by L. Enrique Garcia 

PBS 02-2015

September 2015

What next for the peace negotiations between the Colombian government and the FARC?

by Sophie Haspeslagh 

PBS 01-2015

August 2015