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A Linear Model of Geopolitics

Ben G. Li, Penglong Zhang

Abstract

Geopolitics is shaped by trade and borders. We develop a general-equilibrium model in which both are endogenously determined in a linear world. Their interaction rationalizes geopolitical outcomes that cannot be obtained when either trade or borders are treated as exogenous. This unified and tractable framework is used to study political economy, security, and ideology within and across states.

A Linear Model of Geopolitics

Abstract

Geopolitics is shaped by trade and borders. We develop a general-equilibrium model in which both are endogenously determined in a linear world. Their interaction rationalizes geopolitical outcomes that cannot be obtained when either trade or borders are treated as exogenous. This unified and tractable framework is used to study political economy, security, and ideology within and across states.
Paper Structure (32 sections, 11 theorems, 92 equations, 4 figures)

This paper contains 32 sections, 11 theorems, 92 equations, 4 figures.

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. The Baseline Model
  3. Environment
  4. Solving the equilibrium
  5. Solving Date 3.
  6. Preparation for Solving Date 2.
  7. Solving Date 2.
  8. Solving Date 1.
  9. Political Economy
  10. Interstate trade
  11. Interstate migration
  12. Border effect
  13. Political Security
  14. Border stability
  15. State sizes
  16. ...and 17 more sections

Key Result

Lemma 1

where

Figures (4)

  • Figure 1: State $k$ is Not Part of Any Other Equilibrium Partition
  • Figure 2: Trade between Two Fixed Areas when States Move
  • Figure 3: Illustration of \ref{['prop:state0']} Using State 1 as an Example
  • Figure 4: Separatism of Locale $t$

Theorems & Definitions (24)

  • Definition 1
  • Definition 2
  • Lemma 1
  • proof
  • Proposition 1
  • proof
  • Proposition 2
  • proof
  • Proposition 3
  • proof
  • ...and 14 more