In conversation with Dr. Julia Langbein (SCRIPTS, Centre for East European and International Studies)

Moderator: --

Economic interconnectedness and large infrastructure projects promise growth, prosperity and new opportunities. But who benefits—and who determines the direction of development? Particularly in Eastern Europe and Eurasia, economic relations are also intertwined with political interests and questions of power.

Political scientist Julia Langbein examines how international economic relations influence countries’ development prospects. The conversation explores who controls resources and economic opportunities, what room for manoeuvre states and societies have, and how development projects can transform or reinforce existing power relations. Who decides what counts as progress—and for whom?

Dr. Julia Langbein heads the “Political Economy and Integration” research cluster at the Centre for East European and International Studies (ZOiS) in Berlin and is a Principal Investigator at the SCRIPTS Cluster of Excellence. Her research examines how the integration of Eastern European economies into international markets and value chains influences their economic and political development. Another focus is on the strategies of the EU, Russia and China and their effects on economic development prospects and political room for manoeuvre in Eastern Europe.

An event organised by the Cluster of Excellence SCRIPTS (Contestations of the Liberal Script) in cooperation with Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin.