Title: A Linear Model of Geopolitics

Speaker: Li Guanyi, Associate Professor of the Department of Economics, University of Massachusetts, Lowell, USA. His research fields include international trade, economic geography and economic history. He has published many papers in high-quality academic journals such as Journal of International Economics, Journal of Urban Economics, Journal of Health Economics, American Economic Journal: Economic Policy, Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Scandinavian Journal of Economics and Journal of Economic & Management Strategy.

Abstract: Since the Age of Exploration, the world has achieved increasing economic integration while remaining politically fragmented into a collection of nation-states. We present a general equilibrium model of geopolitics grounded in a linear geography. This model reveals the economic and political interests shared within and across borders. In the model, declining trade costs drive the redrawing of borders, resulting in the formation, alteration, and dissolution of states. The border patterns predicted by the model align with data from digitized historical maps.

Date & time: 19 June 2025, 14:30 - 16:30

Venue: B336, Zhixin Building, Central Campus, Shandong University