Argentine provinces through the link with China (2014- 2022)

towards a reconfiguration of the double periphery?

Abstract

This article studies the center-periphery scheme of the international system at the double level of analysis, state and sub-state, through the paradiplomatic agenda of the Argentine provinces with regard to China between 2014 and 2022. The objective is to analyze the reconfiguration of the double periphery of Argentine sub-state units in the relationship with China since the signing of the Comprehensive Strategic Relations Agreement until Argentina's entry into the Belt & Road Initiative (BRI).

The approach is based on the contributions of structuralism to explain the center-periphery dependency relationship at the different levels of the international system; and on paradiplomacy studies to understand the international actions of the Argentine provinces conditioned by the double periphery in which they are inserted. The methodology is qualitative with a case study for the analysis of the Argentine provinces.

The results show the proliferation of provincial initiatives in relation to Chinese actors, leading to the reconfiguration of Argentina's double sub-state periphery. China emerges as a promoter of local development in Argentina's double periphery, but maintains the interstate asymmetry between the two countries.