Richard Griffiths | Leiden University (original) (raw)

Books by Richard Griffiths

China and the Ports of the Indian Ocean, 2022

This book examines the 'threat' of China in the Indian Ocean by looking not only at the ports in ... more This book examines the 'threat' of China in the Indian Ocean by looking not only at the ports in which it has an interest, but also at the issues of those in which they don't. Separate chapters cover major ports in Iran, Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Myanmar,

Configuring the World. A Critical Political Economy Approach, 2016

This book supports the Coursera MOOC 'The Political Economy of Institutions and Development'. It ... more This book supports the Coursera MOOC 'The Political Economy of Institutions and Development'. It examines the factors advanced to explain the successful interaction between institutions and development, and the empirical evidence that is supposed to support them.

In the Way of the Road. The Ecological Consequences of Infrastructure, 2021

2023 represents the tenth anniversary of the launching of China's belt and Road Initiative. This ... more 2023 represents the tenth anniversary of the launching of China's belt and Road Initiative. This 2021 book examined the impact of infrastructural projects on the environment and biodiversity on the Eurasian landmass,

The Maritime Silk Road, China's Belt and Road at Sea, 2020

2023 represents the tenth anniversary of the launch of China's Belt and Road Initiative. This 202... more 2023 represents the tenth anniversary of the launch of China's Belt and Road Initiative. This 2020 book examines the maritime trade routes between China and Europe against the backdrop of the 2008/9 recession (and its profound long-term effects on shipping). Deals separately with bulk carriers, tankers, container vessels and car carriers

The New Silk Road. Challenge and Response, 2019

2023 represents the tenth anniversary of the launch of China's Belt and Road Initiative. This 201... more 2023 represents the tenth anniversary of the launch of China's Belt and Road Initiative. This 2019 book examines the barriers facing the overland trade routes between China and Europe.

electronic-without the written permission of the author, except in the case of brief excerpts use... more electronic-without the written permission of the author, except in the case of brief excerpts used in critical articles and reviews. Unauthorised reproduction of any part of this work is illegal and punishable by law. This book is a work of non-fiction. Unless otherwise noted, the authors and the publisher make no explicit guarantees as to the accuracy of any of the information contained in this book.

Revitalising the Silk Road: China's Belt and Road Initiative, 2017

2023 is the tenth anniversary of the launching of China's Belt and Road initiative. This was one ... more 2023 is the tenth anniversary of the launching of China's Belt and Road initiative. This was one of the frist books published in the English language to analyse the initiative

The Maritime Silk Road. China's Belt and Road at Sea, 2020

Forget the maps you always see of China's Maritime Silk Road. This book explores the real world o... more Forget the maps you always see of China's Maritime Silk Road. This book explores the real world of trade and shipping (with a focus on Eurasia) and China's place in it.

in the Way of the Road. The Ecological Cosequences of Infrastructure, 2021

This extract from our book includes the Contents, the Preface (ppvii-x), the Introduction (pp1-12... more This extract from our book includes the Contents, the Preface (ppvii-x), the Introduction (pp1-12) and Chapter One (pp13-35). Apologies for the loss of the footnotes and for the glitches in layout. The book is available at electronic bookstores.

The New Silk Road. Challenge and Response, 2019

In 2013 China’s Belt and Road Initiative reawakened public attention to the issues of trade and t... more In 2013 China’s Belt and Road Initiative reawakened public attention to the issues of trade and transport. At the same time it stoked fears about China’s true intentions. This book examines developments in the lands lying between China and Europe. Richard Griffiths asks the question: what if China was not alone in funding new infrastructure or in facilitating trade, nor even the first? It answers the question: who has been building the ‘New Silk Road’?

This article was written to explain to Chinese audiences the characteristics of Dutch foreign pol... more This article was written to explain to Chinese audiences the characteristics of Dutch foreign policy-making on the even of the Dutch presidency of the European Union, with particular reference to its attitudes towards China,
Published in: X. Song e.a. (eds) Forty Years of EU-China Relations: New Strategic Partnership, Beijing, 2015.

This year we have celebrated forty years of the direct bilateral relationship between the Europea... more This year we have celebrated forty years of the direct bilateral relationship between the European Union and China. Back in 1975 the EU did not even exist, and the bilateral relationship extended to the nine member-states of its predecessor, the European Economic Community, whose remits scarcely extended beyond a customs union and its associated commercial policy. In 1975 China was still in the last phase of the cultural revolution and the power struggle between the economic reformist Deng Xiaoping and the so-called 'Gang of Four' led by Mao Zedong's wife, Jian Qing, who wanted to maintain the momentum of the cultural revolution. Both parties have changed almost beyond recognition since those days. The European Union now has 28 members and it has deepened the relationship among them to embrace a single market, a (partial) monetary union and an attempt to formulate a common foreign and security policy. In terms of GDP and foreign trade, the 28 member states of the EU form the largest economic unit in the World. China, too, has reformed its economy and three decades of unprecedented growth have helped to lift hundreds of millions of its citizens out of poverty and raised the country to a position where, as a single country, its GDP is second only to that of the United States. Today, the EU is China's largest trading partner and China is the second largest for the EU. Much lies at stake, therefore, in fostering this relationship.

In 1955 the UK suddenly withdrew from the on-going negotiations to from a Common Market. In the y... more In 1955 the UK suddenly withdrew from the on-going negotiations to from a Common Market. In the years and months that followed, it struggled to find a policy that would mitigate the impact of its decision. Many of the options echo the discussions going on today. Ironically the end result was to apply for membership, but on grounds far less favourable than those that might have been available, had the country remained at the negotiating table.

From January-July 2016, the Netherlands held the EU presidency. This book chapter analyses policy... more From January-July 2016, the Netherlands held the EU presidency. This book chapter analyses policy options in the areas of obtaining an investment agreement, cooperating in the ' belt and road' initiative and in water management. Citation:
R.T.Griffiths 'Revitalising the Silk Road.EU-China Relations under the Dutch Presidency'in B. Steunenberg e.a, (eds) Fit for the Future. Reflections from Leiden on the Functioning of the EU (The Hague) 2016, 311-330.

These chapters contain the essential arguments made in R.T.Griffiths, Revitalising the Silk Road.... more These chapters contain the essential arguments made in R.T.Griffiths, Revitalising the Silk Road. China's Belt and Road Initiative (Leiden, 2017). The remaining chapters of the book deatil the progress of the various development corridors and the maritime silk road.

Drafts by Richard Griffiths

Economic Daily of Cina, 2019

This paper was delivered at a conference Xi Jinping’s Socialism with Chinese Characteristics in t... more This paper was delivered at a conference Xi Jinping’s Socialism with Chinese Characteristics in the New Era. Seminar on Economic Thought organised by Economic Daily of China and Province of Guangdong, Shenzhen, 30 November 2019. I was asked to tackle the issue of European integration between China and Europe. In retrospect, imy approach might not seem appropriate but I was only told that the conference was on economic theory and the BRI. Anyway, the other five keynote speakers all focussed on the main conference topic. In this paper I used the new ‘trade cost’ data series released in July 2019 that extended the chronological range of analysis and which, treated carefully, can provide a useful tool for teaching and research. This draft paper is basically what I said.

This is the latest version of an electronic library of resources on the BRI. It is intended to of... more This is the latest version of an electronic library of resources on the BRI. It is intended to offer support to teachers and students studying the BRI as part of their undergraduate education and to act as a springboard to individual projects. It defines the BRI countries as those listed in the original scheme by the National Development and Reform Commission (i.e. everything from mainland Asia to Central and Eastern Europe but, excepting Egypt, excluding Africa). Any suggestions will be welcome. The IIAS 'New Silk Road' project has over 700 researchers wanting to engage in collaborative teaching and research. The project help facilitate making new connections. To join, please sign up here:

1 This paper makes five arguments.1. The EU is failing in its diplomatic response to China's Belt... more 1 This paper makes five arguments.1. The EU is failing in its diplomatic response to China's Belt and Road Initiative is too cautious, too little and too late. 2. Even if the EU sees the need to enhance connectivity between China and Europe, its own programmes are woefully inadequate. 3. Europe, however, is already active in building the 'Belt and Road'. European firms are already developing road, rail and pipeline links in the BRI countries. 4. The debate on the Belt and Road policy has, for too long, been misframed. We have concentrated on China's boost for infrastructure in Eurasia. However, we have neglected the initial problem-Eurasia's infrastructural investment needs. 5. There is an imbalance between Europe and China in meeting the challenge. China's benefits from the close identity between party, state, banks and large-scale enterprises. Europe is penalised by its fixation on 'the market' and 'fair competition' and by the fragmented nature of political decision-making.

China and the Ports of the Indian Ocean, 2022

Configuring the World. A Critical Political Economy Approach, 2016

In the Way of the Road. The Ecological Consequences of Infrastructure, 2021

The Maritime Silk Road, China's Belt and Road at Sea, 2020

The New Silk Road. Challenge and Response, 2019

Revitalising the Silk Road: China's Belt and Road Initiative, 2017

The Maritime Silk Road. China's Belt and Road at Sea, 2020

in the Way of the Road. The Ecological Cosequences of Infrastructure, 2021

The New Silk Road. Challenge and Response, 2019

Economic Daily of Cina, 2019

Much of the focus of China's BRI has been on South East Asia. This paper seeks to illustate that ... more Much of the focus of China's BRI has been on South East Asia. This paper seeks to illustate that ASEAN is not a passive player in this process, but had its own connectivity plans. The paper also argues that it is essential, if we are to understand the BRI, to look also at the context in which it takes place.

There is a highway running from the Est coast of China all the way to Europe. A 21st century sil... more There is a highway running from the Est coast of China all the way to Europe. A 21st century silk road. Who built it? Whya should it matter?

Austral: Brazilian Journal of Strategy and International Relations, Sep 11, 2012

embarked on the penultimate step in this progression. But only half of it-a monetary union withou... more embarked on the penultimate step in this progression. But only half of it-a monetary union without a fiscal union. The Euro-crisis has now called that achievement into question and, in the process, undermined the authority of those espousing a European route towards closer integration, both for themselves as well as for other nations. As a convinced federalist, myself, I would not recommend abandoning the European example altogether, but if there is a lesson to be learned from this sorry episode, it is this: "if you are going to do it, do not do it this way". This article examines the European experience with economic and monetary union from three perspectives-the design, the implementation and the management of the euro-before exploring the implications of the current crisis.

Originally published by Uitgeverij Martinus Nijhoff BV in 1980 Niets uit deze uitgave mag worden ... more Originally published by Uitgeverij Martinus Nijhoff BV in 1980 Niets uit deze uitgave mag worden verveelvoudigd en/of openbaar gemaakt door middel van druk, fotokopie, microfilm of op welke andere wijze ook, zonder voorafgaande schriftelijke toestemming van de uitgever. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form, by print, photoprint, microfilm or any other means without written permission from the publisher.

Trends in Ecology & Evolution, 2020

China in shaping the future of global environmental governance Concluding remarks Key points of c... more China in shaping the future of global environmental governance Concluding remarks Key points of conclusion Many of our identified issues for the sustainability of the BRI suggest that China will need to increase its participation in the structures of global environmental governance Creation of various policies and guidelines for Greening the BRI Domestically, high-level policies of "ecological civilization" and other policies such show China's sustainability commitment Large gap between environmental commitment domestically and internationally Key dilemma Rivalry over infrastructure + Closed door negotiations + political objectives of host countries Timing (rushed) + conditions of loans & implementations Unsustainable outcomes (no time for consultations, EIAs and SIAs)

The Diplomat Magazine, 2023

Looks at the influence of China on the development of so-called Delft-Blue porcelain in the 17th ... more Looks at the influence of China on the development of so-called Delft-Blue porcelain in the 17th century.

The Diplomat Magazine, 2023

2023 the IIAS started supporting a three-year project for a virtual museum of the silk road. Here... more 2023 the IIAS started supporting a three-year project for a virtual museum of the silk road. Here The Diplomat interviews Professor Richard Griffiths who is directing the project.

EUI Working Paper 254, 1986

As European countries tried to loosen trade restrictions as their post-war recovery progressed, t... more As European countries tried to loosen trade restrictions as their post-war recovery progressed, trade in agricultural products lagged behind, The two large food exporters, France and the Netherlands, tries to find local solution to the problem. Negotiations foundered on how to incorporate the UK and German markets, and differences between France and the Netherlands on the form of the new community.

EUI Working Paper 18/117, 1984

As Europe was plunged into a currency crisis in 1949, France, Italy and the Benelux countries tri... more As Europe was plunged into a currency crisis in 1949, France, Italy and the Benelux countries tried to form a mutual trade and payments regime among themselves. This raised the prospect of 'little europe' being formed two years before the creation of the ECSC. The critical issue proved to be the position of Germany

EUI Working Paper No 76, 1984

The paper links the Netherlands postwar reconstruction policy to the need to overcome the constra... more The paper links the Netherlands postwar reconstruction policy to the need to overcome the constraints of international trade restrictions but discerns a disconnect between the two

The Journal of Economic History, 1999

AUSTRAL: Brazilian Journal of Strategy & International Relations

Twenty years ago, amid a great fanfare of enthusiasm, the Treaty of Maastricht created the Europe... more Twenty years ago, amid a great fanfare of enthusiasm, the Treaty of Maastricht created the European union and inaugurated the process for creating a single European currency for most of the then members (except the UK and Sweden, and later Denmark, that were given a temporary exemption) and all future members. Twenty years later, the anniversary of the treaty passed almost unnoticed (European Policy Centre, 2012). On that day, however, the impact of the treaty was never far from the headlines, as had also been the case for almost every day over the previous months. The Lehman brothers bankruptcy in September 2008 not only triggered a financial crisis that threatened to engulf the world, but it set in motion a series of shocks that have since reverberated through the Euro-area. It is fair to say that the crisis-management has not been an example of stream-lined efficiency, and there are lessons to be learned from that experience.However, the development of the Euro, and the crisis th...