
Understanding the Geopolitics of Foreign Direct Investment
Imad A. Moosa(Author)
Edward Elgar Publishing
Will be published approx. on 28. January 2026
Book
Hardback
268 pages
978-1-0353-6152-6 (ISBN)
Description
This timely book surveys the economic theory of foreign direct investment (FDI) in relation to geopolitics. Imad A. Moosa sheds light on the emergence of geopolitics as a major determinant of FDI flow, providing an erudite analysis of the interconnections between FDI, globalisation and imperialism.
Drawing on conventional, modern and Marxist geopolitical and economic theories, conjectural history and contemporary global affairs, Moosa demonstrates the reciprocal relationship between geopolitical power and FDI flows. The book highlights the impact of contemporary geopolitical events on FDI flows, including COVID-19, the US-China trade war, the Russian invasion of Ukraine and Donald Trump's second presidency. Moosa constructs a composite index of geopolitical power for a number of countries across the globe, emphasising that FDI is not only a tool for exercising this power, but also a means of enhancing it.
An imperative reference for students and academics in international relations, political economy, geopolitics, regulation and governance, Understanding the Geopolitics of Foreign Direct Investment is also a beneficial read for policymakers.
Drawing on conventional, modern and Marxist geopolitical and economic theories, conjectural history and contemporary global affairs, Moosa demonstrates the reciprocal relationship between geopolitical power and FDI flows. The book highlights the impact of contemporary geopolitical events on FDI flows, including COVID-19, the US-China trade war, the Russian invasion of Ukraine and Donald Trump's second presidency. Moosa constructs a composite index of geopolitical power for a number of countries across the globe, emphasising that FDI is not only a tool for exercising this power, but also a means of enhancing it.
An imperative reference for students and academics in international relations, political economy, geopolitics, regulation and governance, Understanding the Geopolitics of Foreign Direct Investment is also a beneficial read for policymakers.
Reviews / Votes
'Since the 1990s, foreign direct investment (FDI) has become an important driver of economic prosperity. However, so has its (geo)politicalisation. It has become a tool for political parties to divide and conquer, particularly with the imposition of tariffs and intensification of the US and China rivalry. In this book, the merits of undertaking FDI to attain economic prosperity is analysed by critically examining its geopolitical costs and benefits. For anyone working in the field of FDI, reading this book is essential.' -- George B. Tawadros, Winona State University, USA 'This book makes a major contribution to the study of direct foreign investment, a practice, with all its attendant problems, that has become so prominent since the dominance of neoliberalism throughout the world. Moosa does not just examine the flows of direct investment from one country to another. Rather he places this within a geopolitical context very relevant to our understanding of international relations in the present day and how some large countries exert a disproportionate influence on the economies of smaller countries. This book is essential reading for all economists and public policy specialists, as well as those interested in colonialism in all its forms.' -- Greg Bailey, La Trobe University, AustraliaMore details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Cheltenham
United Kingdom
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 156 mm
ISBN-13
978-1-0353-6152-6 (9781035361526)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
The late Imad A. Moosa, former Professor of Finance and Economics, University of Melbourne Institute of Technology, Australia
Content
Contents
Obituary: Imad Moosa
Preface
1 The Concept of Foreign Direct Investment
2 The Drivers and Formal Theories of FDI
3 The Concept and Theories of Geopolitics
4 The Determinants and Measurement of Geopolitical Power
5 Interaction of Geopolitics and FDI
6 The Geopolitics and Political Economy of FDI: Some
Extensions
7 The Loathsome Trinity: FDI, Globalisation and Imperialism
8 Economic Cooperation Pacts as a Geopolitical Tool
9 The Good, Bad and Ugly
References
Obituary: Imad Moosa
Preface
1 The Concept of Foreign Direct Investment
2 The Drivers and Formal Theories of FDI
3 The Concept and Theories of Geopolitics
4 The Determinants and Measurement of Geopolitical Power
5 Interaction of Geopolitics and FDI
6 The Geopolitics and Political Economy of FDI: Some
Extensions
7 The Loathsome Trinity: FDI, Globalisation and Imperialism
8 Economic Cooperation Pacts as a Geopolitical Tool
9 The Good, Bad and Ugly
References