Since the middle of the 20th Century, Brazils economy has suffered from underinvestment in infrastructure. Nowhere is this more obvious than in the countries ports, and in particular the biggest...Show moreSince the middle of the 20th Century, Brazils economy has suffered from underinvestment in infrastructure. Nowhere is this more obvious than in the countries ports, and in particular the biggest port in the country: the Port of Santos. This thesis analyses how investment into the Port of Santos's infrastructure could improve the efficiency and productivity of the port, and consequently the Brazilian economy overall. Recommendations are made as to how this investment should be made, and from where funding should come.Show less
With the end of the financial crisis, China launched multiple infrastructure investment projects in Asia, Africa and Latin America. This display of global engagement has led to an ongoing debate...Show moreWith the end of the financial crisis, China launched multiple infrastructure investment projects in Asia, Africa and Latin America. This display of global engagement has led to an ongoing debate among scholars and policy makers concerning the significance of geo-economics. This study aims to shed some light into this debate and to determine the geo-economic implications of Chinese infrastructure investments in Myanmar. To this end, the research question for this thesis is as follows: How are infrastructure investment and its effects utilised as a tool of economic diplomacy to produce geo-economic gains for China in Myanmar? To answer the research question, the effects and geo-economic implications are analysed through a qualitative policy and discourse analysis, as well as the examination of data and the effects of infrastructure investment and its geo-economic implication over time. The study shows, that the effects of the infrastructure projects are nurturing new interdependencies and dependencies, increasing the vulnerability of Myanmar towards China, who can utilise these dependencies as political leverage. Further research can be undertaken to identify similar patterns in the relationship of China and other nations, as well as the role of infrastructure investment as economic diplomacy tool.Show less
