The political economy of China-backed infrastructure in South America: a comparative analysis of agency

China’s infrastructure development initiatives in the Global South, framed under the Belt and Road Initiative, are at the centre of intense debates among scholars and policymakers. However, much of the existing literature emphasizes Chinese objectives and influence, often overlooking the role of host countries. This thesis, part of a broader “agency turn” in studies on China in the Global South—so far mostly focused on Africa and Southeast Asia—examines Chinese projects in South America from the perspective of local agency. The dissertation conceptualizes infrastructure projects as political processes shaped by both Chinese entities and host country actors. It analyses three emblematic hydropower projects built by Chinese corporations in the 2010s: the Kirchner-Cepernic hydroelectric complex in Argentina, the Belo Monte transmission lines in Brazil, and the Coca Codo Sinclair dam in Ecuador. Contrary to viewing these projects as solely Chinese impositions, they originated in the 20th century when South American nations pursued large dams with Western support. The thesis argues that the execution of China’s infrastructure initiatives is influenced by the sociopolitical dynamics of host countries, reflecting distinct development legacies and ruling coalitions. Theoretically, the thesis draws on Jessop’s strategic-relational approach, which sees the interplay between agency and structure as dialectical and interdependent. It also incorporates the state transformation approach, challenging the notion of the state as a monolithic actor, highlighting state transformation processes in both China and the host countries. Additionally, assemblage thinking is used to interpret the networks of actors involved in specific infrastructure projects. By illustrating how local sociopolitical dynamics shape Chinese infrastructure efforts, this thesis contributes to understanding the role of infrastructure in development and geopolitics, offering insights into China’s evolving infrastructure push in South America and the broader Global South.