Architectures of Geoeconomic Influence and Trade Fragmentation
Charles-Louis de Secondat, Baron de La Brède et de Montesquieu (1748) Architectures of Geoeconomic Influence Geoeconomic influence —the exercise of power by states upon other states through economic means—operates through three primary methodological frames: unilateral (a state’s net position relative to the world), bilateral (specific leverage over another state), and multilateral (leverage over a wide set of states). Network Topography and Power Effects Influence is rooted in natural resource endowments and productive capabilities but is mediated by the structure of international economic networks . Topographical influence manifests in two forms: The Panopticon Effect : The informational advantage gained by a state hosting a major network hub. Recent research confirms that controlling strategic nodes in global networks—such as SWIFT’s financial messaging system (which handled approximately 90% of global payment messages in 2020) or semiconductor design software ecosy...