Economy
The economy is an essential attribute of power and a major component of international relations. While geopolitical tensions are on the rise, economic interdependence remains strong.
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The EU and Innovation: When Business Meets Politics
Innovation, entrepreneurship, growth and competitiveness go hand in hand. This short paper looks at two areas where the EU plays a role to help drive innovation: regulation and financing.
Trump et l'électorat populaire blanc
Donald Trump won the 2016 Republican primaries thanks to the mobilization of a specific part of the electorate: the white, non-college-educated, lower middle-class.
Latin America's Dashed Hopes
Only recently, Latin America seemed to embody an inexorable movement towards political democratization, towards a decrease in stark inequalities as well as greater involvement in the global economy. But the dream remains unrealized.
Middle East, the new "Great Game"
Will a divided Middle East become the center of a new “Great Game”? The world’s global powers are aligned in it: the United States, falsely tempted by retraction; Russia, establishing its position in an unexpected state of play, France, destabilized by the contradictions of its own policy… In addition are tussles for regional hegemony between Iran, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia.
The International Development of Chinese Think Tanks
Alice Ekman gave her opinion on the international development of Chinese think tanks at a roundtable in Shanghai, organized by the Korea Foundation for Advanced Studies, Fudan University and Phoenix International Think Tank.
Le programme économique des Républicains, quelles idées pour 2016 ?
Republican candidates in the 2016 primaries have trouble standing out on economic issues. Indeed, they all embrace the same conservative tenets, namely the reduction (at all costs) of federal power in the name of liberty ; and tax cuts for the wealthy in the name of "trickle-down economics", a theory already put forward by the Reagan administration.
Identifying the Middle Classes: Diversity, Specificities and Consumption Practices Under Pressure
The international viewpoint on the African continent has profoundly changed in the last decade. Images advertised by the media drifted from afro-pessimism - the sad fate of Africa (wars and poverty) - to afro-optimism - a brighter future for the continent.
From Financial Diplomacy to Geopolitics of Finance
The financial system has become too complex to be controlled at state level.
Russia: Business and State
Business in Russia today is closely intertwined with the political sphere. But the forms of business’s involvement in politics have differed radically at different stages in history. Initially, business played an active role, displacing the government from its position due to its vigorous expansion. Subsequently, the state began to regroup, reinforcing its positions not just in politics but in the market too. Despite increased economic uncertainty and enormous changes in Russia’s foreign policy positions, the government currently remains the central actor in both Russian politics and the economy.
The TPP and its consequences for China, and Europe
John Seaman answers questions from the China Daily on the recently concluded negotiations of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and their consequences for China and for Europe.
Read the interview, in Chinese
The “One Belt, One Road” – Strategic Implications of a Chinese Infrastructure Network in Eurasia
China’s “One Belt, One Road” project, also known as the “New Silk Road”, aims to create a vast infrastructure network connecting three continents, with China playing the central role.
Algeria’s Permanent State of Economic Crisis (1999-2015)
When President Bouteflika came to power in 1999, he sought to liberalise the country’s economy. But these reforms were reversed after only a few years.
TISA, TTIP: How Trading is Done on Europe’s Behalf
The way in which bargaining mandates are granted to the Commission for the purpose of leading the European Union’s commercial negotiations make it a unique negotiator.
Economics in Narendra Modi’s Foreign Policy
A distinct feature of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s first year in office was the remarkable speed and alacrity with which he moved on external engagement. During his first twelve months as Prime Minister, he travelled to almost twenty countries in different parts of the world. Indeed, Modi appeared to be guided by the impression that high rates of economic growth cannot be generated only by domestic policies and initiatives.
Leaving to Come Back: Russian Senior Officials and the State-Owned Companies
When Dmitry Medvedev announced in late 2014 that the presence of ministers and other officials should be sharply increased on the boards of public companies, observers were surprised, considering that four years before the former President started a campaign to remove them from the very same structures.
China’s growth declines, stock markets fall: what consequences should we be worried about?
All the European stock exchanges declined on Monday, as concerned investors looked with pessimism at China’s slowing growth. Paris lost 5.35 %. Claude Meyer discusses what consequences can be expected.
Shanghai’s stock market woes hit European financial centers
Claude Meyer answers Jean-Baptiste Boursier’s questions in “le Grand Angle” on BFMTV.
The economic consequences of Tianjin’s explosions
Five days after Tianjin’s impressive explosions, Toyota announced a three-day stop in the production of its city’s sites. The Japanese company is far from being the only one concerned.
The region, also known as Beijing’s maritime gateway, is one of the most dynamic in the country. No less than 540 million tones of merchandise transit through its harbor every year, making it the fourth biggest in the world.
“Tianjin is one of the spearheads of the Chinese economy”, summarizes Claude Meyer. “This catastrophe concerns about 300 multinationals among the world’s most important ones”. What will be the impact of these explosions on the Chinese economy?
"The Yuan isn’t ready to replace the Dollar"
China’s ambition is to become a great financial power. But the necessary reform of its financial system and its will to act progressively could mean that it will be a long time before its exchange rate system is liberalized. Can the Yuan realistically become an international currency?
Devaluation of the Yuan: Claude Meyer answers Yves Bourdillon
Is the sudden devaluation of the Yuan a sign of some form of panic from Beijing following the slowed growth of the Chinese economy?
Does this decision create deflationary risks for the global economy?
What prospects for the Yuan’s international status?
The Financial Challenges of the Sub-Saharan Africa Telecoms Boom
Telecom industry has taken a significant place within of the economy of most African countries. In this aspect, it is an undeniable source of economic growth and development. It impacts on the financial sphere at three levels.
Coming in from the Cold? An Update on North Korea's External Economic Relations
This brief analysis of the current external economic relations of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) leads to a number of conclusions.
The Future of the European Monetary Fund: Any Prospects?
The European summit last week has resulted in a compromise short-term agreement for aid to Greece.
Comparing Aid public policies in France and Germany
European Aid Ministers qualified 2008 as 'crucial for the development and the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDO)'. So, the French presidency of the EU council devotes a part of its activities to Aid cooperation, mostly based on initiatives launched by Germany in 2007. In this article, both authors firstly compare Aid systems and their natures, and then explain why French and German approaches are often similar. Drawing up a panorama of these aid policies, also with common policies and projects, the authors would like to present common challenges that France and Germany are facing. Thus, they are looking for new leads to develop French-German cooperation in the field of Development.
Assertive Pragmatism: China's Economic Rise and its Impact on Chinese Foreign Policy
Proliferation Papers, No. 15, Fall 2006
Why and How Differentiate Developing Countries in the WTO? Theoretical Options and Negotiating Solutions
Anne-Sophie Novel and Jean-Marie Paugam (English written paper, to be release in hard copy in the beginning of 2006)
European Governance and European Public Opinion on Trade and Sustainable Development
Based on the Conclusions of the SUSTRA Workshop on 'European Governance and European Public Opinion on Trade and Sustainable Development', 03-04 June 2004, IFRI, Paris (France)
FDI as a Factor of Economic Restructuring: The Case of South Korea
Françoise Nicolas, in A. Bende-Nabende, (ed.), International Trade, Capital Flows and Economic Development in East Asia: The Challenge in the 21st Century, London, Ashgate, 2003
Governance Issues in the Digital Economy
The expansion of the Internet as a major component of the knowledge-based society has been one of the more important economic, social and political developments of the past decades. It is commonly claimed that this “revolution” has been unplanned by any government and has flourished precisely because the Net and its users have been largely free of regulation by any government. Actually, rules have been set quite rapidly in cyberspace, and contrary to what the cyber-libertarians have been arguing, digital technologies have not severed the historical links between market and state.
Foreign Direct Investment in Developing Countries: Leveraging the Role of Multinationals
Why did the governments of developing and emerging countries reach a more favorable assessment of the role of multinationals? The major evolution is the deepening economic integration brought by globalization. Globalization accentuates the importance of the international economy for developing countries. And in this context, foreign direct investment (FDI) has become one of the most dynamic flows of resources to developing countries.
Ifri, a foundation recognized as being of public utility, relies largely on private donors – companies and individuals – to guarantee its sustainability and intellectual independence. Through their funding, donors help maintain the Institute's position among the world's leading think tanks. By benefiting from an internationally recognized network and expertise, donors refine their understanding of geopolitical risk and its consequences on global politics and the economy. In 2026, Ifri partners with over 90 French and international companies and organizations.
Geoeconomics and Geofinance Initiative
To analyze the impact of power rivalries and tensions on globalization, this initiative combines economic and political expertise. In the face of growing geopolitical risk, the goal is to decipher the dynamics of reconfiguration: protectionist pressures, sanctions, restrictions, industrial policies, and economic security concerns are redefining the rules of international trade. These tensions are also transforming international financial relations by undermining the foundations of trust and reshaping the global monetary system. They raise questions about the role of several key players: sovereign wealth funds, central banks, digital platforms, multilateral institutions, and financial infrastructure operators. In a context of profound disruption, simply refining existing approaches is no longer sufficient. The initiative is designed as a flexible model, drawing on diverse expertise to offer both broad overviews and targeted analyses. It also provides a platform for stakeholders and experts from various backgrounds to debate these issues freely.