In­vit­a­tion for PhD de­fence - Mi­haela Gaglioti-Ver­lan

Re­think­ing ex­tract­ive in­dus­tries through rare earths: China's in­dus­tri­al policy for up­grad­ing, co­ordin­a­tion power and geo­pol­it­ic­al lever­age

The criticality of minerals (CRMs) is on a constant rise. This relates to the heavy geographical polarization of their production, significantly dependent on sectoral-specific knowledge, skills, and infrastructure. Rethinking extractive industries is therefore of the utmost importance, now that certain materials constitute vital inputs for strategic industries, such as those related to the green transition. Through the case study of rare earths – in particular, by investigating China’s state vision and industrial policy for upgrading, coordination power, and geopolitical leverage – this thesis provides a contribution in this direction.

This research advances and integrates three original analytical frameworks that allow for a new understanding of extractive industries. Transition-driven Windows of Opportunity (TWOs), State-Integrated Networks (SINs) and Geoeconomic valorization are the conceptual lenses used to engage with the following research question: How did China achieve industrial upgrading and coordination power through the rare earths industry?

Grounded in a timely debate, with global policy and socio-technical shifts taking place, reconceptualizing the importance of extractive industries can potentially provide strategic assets for economic growth and geopolitical competition. State vision and capacity for planning reframe the story around the importance of owning critical minerals endowments into one about the development of indigenous capabilities and capacity through technological upgrading and a holistic industrial policy approach for strategic innovation.

The thesis will be available from research.cbs.dk