Geopolitics and political economy of Laos - Kham Vorapheth - L'harmattan - broché - Essai

Launched in 1986, Laos’s reform policies rescued the country from the failures of central planning and self-isolation adopted after the foundation of the Lao PDR in 1975. Now on a path to economic prosperity, Laos enjoys greater political stability and international status, thanks in part to its participation in regional and international institutions. The China-Laos railway has transformed Laos into a transport and logistics hub and a game changer for the country, opening up new economic opportunities and enhancing connectivity with ASEAN countries.This book examines Laos’ geopolitics, economics, and its position of non-alignment in Southeast Asia. It delves into the geopolitical contest between China’s rise and the United States’ pivot, particularly in Southeast Asia and the Indo-Pacific region, affecting the existing ASEAN order. It discusses Laos’s centrality in ASEAN and pragmatic approach to managing its relationships with Vietnam, China, the United States, Russia, and other regi