Episode 23: The rise of China, technology and a Sino-centric world order

Nigel Inkster, IISS Senior Adviser, joins Dr Kori Schake for this episode of Sounds Strategic.With the rivalry between the US and China set to become the defining feature of international politics in the 21st century, Nigel Inkster gives context to the geopolitical competition that lies at its heart. Nigel emphasises the important role technology will play in allowing great powers to project their power internationally in the future. He argues that this brings new significance to the Huawei affair and wider US–China trade disputes. Fundamentally, China views the post-World War international order as no longer fit for purpose. It is therefore looking to foster an alternative world order that is more in line with its own political objectives and priorities. Nigel and Kori discuss what the possible features of this Sino-centric world order would be and the profound importance technological innovation around 5G will play in determining who will lead the world in the next century.Recommended Reading: Richard McGregor, The Party: The Secret World of China’s Communist Rulers, (London: Penguin Books, 2012)Nick Bostrom, Superintelligence: Paths, Dangers, Strategies, (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2017)Max Tegmark, Life 3.0: Being Human in the Age of Artificial Intelligence, (London: Penguin Books, 2018)Date of recording: 8 October 2019Sounds Strategic is recorded and produced at the IISS in London.Theme music: ‘Safety in Numbers’ by We Were Promised Jetpacks.

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