Global Politics and the Architecture of Economic Complexity

Geopolitics and politics, though related, are not identical. Geopolitics studies the influence of geography on international relations and political dynamics, particularly in the realm of foreign policy. Geopolitics increasingly influences corporate decision-making, as companies must adapt their strategies to complex and constantly evolving environments. Firms now need to take into account geopolitical tensions, conflicts, and political changes, all of which can impact their operations, investments, and market choices. Understanding the factors that drive firm export performance and upgrading is essential in the international trade literature. This review synthesizes recent research on product complexity, economic complexity, technological relatedness, knowledge spillovers, institutional contexts, and the influence of policy, politics, and geopolitics, highlighting their interconnected roles in shaping export dynamics.

Speaker: Geoffrey Ditta (Facultad de Ciencias Económicas y Empresariales; Universidad Complutense de Madrid).

Sponsors: RCCHU; Complutense University of Madrid; Harvard University.