Complex Interdependence: A Comparative study of EU-CHINA rivalry in Pakistan

Sammanfattning

This thesis explores the EU-China rivalry in the context of Pakistan through the theoreticalframework of complex interdependence. Since most of the existing literature focuses on largerregions, such as Africa and South America, this thesis focuses on the single-case country:Pakistan. Additionally, existing literature focuses heavily on the traditional power dynamicsframeworks of realism and liberalism, which focus more on hard power over other aspects, suchas economic, social and geopolitical. In contrast, this study employs the Keohane and Nye’scomplex interdependence, which emphasizes on other mediums of engagements and interests inthe relationship. This approach broadens the existing literature of the EU and China rivalry to thesingle case country of Pakistan by applying complex interdependence.The aim of the thesis is to comparatively examine the actions and policies of the EU and China,respectively, towards Pakistan through complex interdependence in the context of their ongoingrivalry. To achieve this goal, my thesis has instrumentalised the Qualitative Content Analysis(QCA) method by Mayring (2000). The analysis focuses on two major cooperations of CPECand MIP by China and the EU, respectively, since these projects are multi-faceted, focusing ondifferent dimensions of the relationship, along with some joint statements and reports.Findings largely confirm the theoretical expectations; both the EU and China engage withPakistan through multiple channels and assign a limited role to the military. However, the EUand China follow the hierarchy of issues, with geopolitical issues dominating the economic andsocio-cultural issues. These findings partially contradict the complex interdependence theoreticalexpectation of the absence of hierarchy of issues between the EU and China towards Pakistan.Moreover, differences lie in the EU-China policies and engagements according to their foreignpolicy orientations. The EU has a strong emphasis on normative values such as human rights,democracy, and the rule of law in its relations with Pakistan. Whereas China, on the contrary,focuses more on its policies of mutual development, non-interference. The broader implicationsof this research can contribute to future research on the EU-China economic rivalry in thespecific country’s context through the different areas of engagement and interests based on theirforeign policy orientations, particularly with countries with similar dynamics to Pakistan.Nevertheless, the limitation of this research lies in its inability to address the EU-China rivalrywith a primary focus on military power in another country/region.