Graduate Review of Political Science and Public Administration Journal

Global Power Shifts in the Semiconductor Industry: Analyzing the Roles of the United States, China, and Multinational Corporations Through the Concept of Security Regimes

Naphakhawat Wanchai — 2024-12-09

The competition between the United States (US) and China, particularly in the realm of technology, where the semiconductor industry is a key factor in global power shifts. Additionally, multinational corporations are crucial components in the competitive dynamics between the US and China. This paper studied changes in power equilibrium in the semiconductor industry based on security regime, while examining the relationship between the semiconductor industry and the US, China, and multinational corporations. Results were that security regimes significantly changed the world balance of power. The economic relationship of global value chains (GVCs) established industrial policy and international industrial regulations, by 1) US economic strategy to maintain industrial capacity and relying on a partnership network; 2) China increasing basic technology research and development (R&D) investment with Chinese MNCs following national policy to maintain industrial capacity; and 3) US and allied MNCs use international cooperation to strengthen industrial capacity. In addition, Chinese MNCs have increasingly penetrated consumer markets in developing nations and Southeast Asia to maintain profitability.

The Effects of Great Power Competition on Thai Foreign Policy from 2001 to 2024

Eric Everhart — 2024-12-09

Growing competition between the United States and China is quickly becoming a defining feature of the 21st century international system, much like that of the United States and the Soviet Union defined the latter 20th century. Thailand’s deep historical, economic, and political ties to the great powers, and its central position with the Greater Mekong Subregion, make it ripe for an analysis of how great power competition is affecting its foreign policy. This work fills a gap in the existing literature on Thai foreign policy by taking an expansive backward look at nearly two decades of policy actions and reactions by the United States, China, and Thailand to identify patterns across multiple governments. The information gained through a deep reading of primary and secondary sources on Thai policy is then used to determine plausible future outcomes for Thai foreign policy in a continued environment of great power competition. This work establishes a clear and increasingly explicit commitment to strategic hedging by Thailand despite significant changes in domestic political alignments, the rise of a new great power in the immediate region, and an intensifying competition between vital and longstanding economic and security partners.

A Study on the Prospects and Challenges of Japanese Trade and Investment in Bangladesh

S. M. Rabby Raj — 2024-12-09

Foreign investment and trade have become essential for the sustainability of economic growth of the countries in the modern era. It is even more valid for developing countries like Bangladesh. As Japan is the biggest development partner of Bangladesh, the role of Japan is very significant in this regard. Historically, Japanese investment and trade have contributed to the socio-economic development of Bangladesh to a considerable extent. On the other hand, the “economic diplomacy” is a key element of Japanese foreign policy and the contemporary geopolitical reality has made Japan more interested in the countries of South Asia to secure its broader strategic interests. So, there is a huge opportunity for Bangladesh to attract more Japanese investment and trade which can take the economic growth of this country to the next level. The government of Bangladesh needs to be more active to have an effective collaboration with its Japanese counterpart. In addition, Bangladesh must remove the impediments in this regard. This qualitative study critically analyzes Japanese trade and investment attitudes towards Bangladesh. This research further contributes to the literature of the trade and investment situation of Bangladesh as well as specially how Japan can find opportunities and challenges in this climate. This study finds that although Bangladesh is very lucrative for trading and investment for Japan, much remains to be done. Therefore, Bangladesh should focus on developing those key areas to attract Japan even more.