Shows
The Podcast Browser56. Foucault was ALWAYS a Libertarian - Mark Pennington Podcast: The Rasheed Griffith ShowEpisode: 56. Foucault was ALWAYS a Libertarian - Mark PenningtonPub date: 2025-09-18Get Podcast Transcript →powered by Listen411 - fast audio-to-text and summarizationSend us a textWhat if the most subversive libertarian of the twentieth century wasn’t Hayek or Nozick, but Michel Foucault? In this episode, Rasheed and Mark Pennington dismantle the worn-out cliché of Foucault as the Left’s philosopher of suspicion and instead expose how his late work aligns disturbingly well with the libertarian project. Forget the caricature of Fouc...
2025-09-241h 02
The Rasheed Griffith Show56. Foucault was ALWAYS a Libertarian - Mark PenningtonSend us a textWhat if the most subversive libertarian of the twentieth century wasn’t Hayek or Nozick, but Michel Foucault? In this episode, Rasheed and Mark Pennington dismantle the worn-out cliché of Foucault as the Left’s philosopher of suspicion and instead expose how his late work aligns disturbingly well with the libertarian project. Forget the caricature of Foucault as the theorist of discipline and surveillance. In this episode he appears as the radical voice warning that freedom erodes not just under authoritarian violence but under the bureaucrat’s file, the planner’s map, and the exper...
2025-09-181h 02The Rasheed Griffith Show55. Unlocking Market Freedom With EU Law - Adrián RubioSend us a textRasheed sits down with IE Law Professor Adrián Rubio to unpack the complex relationship between European Union law, market liberalization, and the resulting concentration of power in Brussels. Rubio shines light on how EU law has historically opened markets across the continent, but notes the centralization of power set in motion by today’s regulatory machinery at the expense of key economic and individual freedoms.EU Law: the Great Liberator - sectors like telecoms, airlines, and energy have benefitted greatly from reforms, but today much of that power is centralized in...
2025-09-021h 04The Rasheed Griffith Show53. RE-IMAGINING the Eurozone - John CochraneSend us a textCPSI Director Rasheed and Economist John Cochrane discuss the structural complexities of the Eurozone’s monetary system, focusing particularly on TARGET2 balances. Trade imbalances within the Eurozone are no longer offset through private financial claims, but have instead created a vast network of public-sector IOUs among national and central banks. The transformation of the Euro into a fiscal conduit has introduced new risks, especially in the case a country exiting the Eurozone, leaving its massive debts unpaid. Cochrane emphasizes that monetary and fiscal policies are inseparable, particularly in a hig...
2025-07-151h 02The Podcast BrowserModern Paraguay with Tomás Mandl Podcast: The Rasheed Griffith ShowEpisode: Modern Paraguay with Tomás MandlPub date: 2023-09-16Get Podcast Transcript →powered by Listen411 - fast audio-to-text and summarizationSend us a textThe podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from CPSI Podcasts, which is the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Listen Notes, Inc.
2025-06-2721 min
The Capitalismo PodcastWhy Spain’s Transition to Democracy Remains ControversialWelcome to the inaugural episode of The Capitalismo Podcast, a new series dedicated to exploring the political economy of the Hispanic world entirely in English.In this first episode, co-hosts Diego Sánchez de la Cruz and Rasheed Griffith examine Spain’s landmark transition from the Franco dictatorship (1939–1975) to a modern constitutional democracy. Referred to as La Transición in Spain, this period remains a cornerstone of European political history and continues to influence Spain’s contemporary governance structures and debates over monarchy versus republicanism, as well as regional autonomy.Key Topics Covered:
2025-03-1858 minThe Rasheed Griffith Show46. The Philosophy Of Reggae - A Guided TourSend us a textIt's not all love, peace and brotherhood and if you're looking for Bob Marley, you're out of luck there too. Join CPSI director Rasheed Griffith and podcast producer Shem Best for an unfiltered foray into reggae, its historical starting point, political ramifications and cultural proliferation throughout the region and the world. Reggae is first and foremost a vehicle of protest. We explore the societal context which forced the hands of the Rastafarians, producing anthems of anti-establishment sentiment that resonated with a growing movement which was finding itself increasingly at odds with a...
2024-11-2550 min
Ben Yeoh ChatsRasheed Griffith: Progress, Caribbean, Policy, Food, Music, Talent Assessment, CultureRasheed Griffith discusses the factors impeding progress in the Caribbean and shares his optimism for the region. He identifies the decline in public sector quality since the 1960s as a major obstacle. Transcript and links here.
Griffith suggests that reforming the public sector could significantly advance the Caribbean by attracting international talent and improving policy implementation. He also discusses the historical impact of British technocracy in the Caribbean, proposing that adopting a more internationalized public service could be beneficial. Griffith urges a shift towards leveraging global trade for growth.
2024-05-141h 09The Rasheed Griffith Show34. Tea Time Discourse: The Rise of Chairman Mottley - Shem BestSend us a textNavigate the Barbadian political landscape with Rasheed Griffith and CPSI Podcast Producer Shem Best. In this episode, we discuss the evolution and decline of governance on the island, starting with one of its most prolific Prime Ministers, Owen Arthur. What tipped the scales for the David Thompson administration's rise after over a decade of BLP rule? What disastrous decisions paved the way for Mottley's landslide victory in 2018? Barbados' Westminster-style government structure has created one of the world's most stable democracies with over three centuries of an uninterrupted parliament (the 3rd oldest in...
2024-05-131h 49
Ideas UntrappedThe Dynamics of GrowthIn this podcast episode, Tobi interviews Rasheed Griffith - who is the CEO of The Caribbean Progress Institute, and host of The Rasheed Griffith Show explores the adaptability and policy implementation in smaller countries compared to larger ones, noting that smaller nations can change more swiftly due to simpler institutional structures. Rasheed contrasts this with larger countries like China and India, where changes, although rapid, are often driven by cultural homogeneity and authoritarian governance, which may not be desirable in Western democracies. The discussion also touches on the impact of leadership and institutional capacity on economic development, emphasizing that...
2024-04-2747 min
Ideas of IndiaRasheed Griffith Explores the Complexities of the Caribbean Today my guest is Rasheed Griffith, who is the CEO of the Caribbean Progress Studies Institute, the host of the podcast the Rasheed Griffith Show, and one of my favorite writers on Substack. He also directs the Emergent Ventures Africa-Caribbean grants program at the Mercatus Center. We spoke about whether the former colonizers owe reparations to the Caribbean people, economic divergence in post-colonial Caribbean countries, Caribbean music, homophobia, VS Naipaul, West Indian cricket team, and much more. Recorded April 4th, 2024. Read a full transcript enhanced with helpful links. Timestamps (00:00:00) - Intro
2024-04-251h 31The Rasheed Griffith ShowHow to Dollarize Argentina, Exactly - Nicolás CachanoskySend us a textIn this fascinating episode, we dive into a more nuanced discussion for implementing dollarization in Argentina. Nicolás Cachanosky joins our Executive Director, Rasheed Griffith, for a detailed and technical rundown of the steps needed to transition the beleaguered economy to the US Dollar. Firstly, there's the equilibrium rate. How many pesos would be needed to redeem one US dollar? How would this price be established? The government could remove the country's capital controls, which have been used to maintain an inflated and unsustainable rate. This would allow the market to de...
2024-03-2052 minThe Rasheed Griffith ShowThe Northern Silence — Andrew MellorSend us a textThis episode takes us deeper into the idea of art as part of the welfare state. Music journalist and critic, Andrew Mellor is our guide to the historical nuances that fuel the Nordic's ongoing domination of the classical music space. Finland boasts the highest number of conductors per capita in the world. This has not happened by chance. The unique way of talent selection at the Sibelius Academy plays a large role in this. The country exports its prowess to almost every corner of the classical music space. In the UK...
2024-01-2539 minThe Rasheed Griffith ShowThe Dilemma of Reform in Argentina — Bruno BinettiSend us a textA return to Argentina. On this episode of the Rasheed Griffith Show, we focus again on the beleaguered South American economy and discuss Javier Milei's meteoric rise to claim victory in the recent elections. Our guest, Argentinian political analyst Bruno Binetti, explores the socio-economic conditions that paved the way for Milei's win and the harsh recovery journey ahead for what was once one of the continent's financial powerhouses. The name of the game is change. Binetti posits that the electorate grew tired of policies, particularly under "Kirchnerism", which...
2023-12-2950 min
EquianoPod19. The Reparations Debate: Is it Time for Britain to Pay? w/ Rasheed GriffithToday's discussion with Inaya Folain Iman revolves around the question of whether Britain owes reparations for its historical role in slavery. Advocates argue that reparations can address historical injustices and contribute to global equity, while critics contend that determining responsibility and calculating reparations pose complex challenges.
One such critic is today's guest, Rasheed Griffith. Rasheed is the Executive Director of the Caribbean Progress Studies Institute. He has previously worked in the finance industry in Southeast Asia and the Caribbean. Griffith studied Mandarin Chinese in Beijing and has written several pieces on the triangular relationship of the US-Caribbean-China...
2023-12-2248 minThe Rasheed Griffith ShowBetter Money in Latin America — Lawrence WhiteSend us a textFrom gold to Bitcoin. In this episode, we are joined by Professor Lawrence White to explore a comparative history of money, starting with the era of the gold standard. We trace the origins of bank notes, private money, and the underpinnings (and shortfalls) of monetary systems across Latin America and the Caribbean. Our discussion begins with dollarization rumblings across Latin America, namely Argentina. "In a way, dollarization is a bit like going back to the gold standard in the 19th century. You're adopting external money that's a world currency. This has...
2023-12-2248 minThe Rasheed Griffith ShowHow Iceland Changed The World — Egill BjarnasonSend us a text"1 in 10 Icelanders write books." This curiously repeated statistic, (accuracy notwithstanding) stems from Iceland's proud literary heritage. The North Atlantic island nation is renowned for its contributions to the arts, gender norms, and governance. This episode's guest, Egill Bjarnason (a writer himself) gives us some insight into the origins of this cultural dynamism, the modern policies that foster its continuation, and the resulting influence beyond Iceland across the globe. At just over 370,000, Iceland's population is surpassed by some Caribbean countries (Trinidad & Tobago is 1.3 million). Like the Caribbean, in the art world, the...
2023-12-2024 minThe Rasheed Griffith ShowAnalysing the Guyana-Venezuela Border Crisis — Ivelaw GriffithSend us a textWhy is Venezuela on the verbal offensive and threatening to carve off more than two-thirds of Guyana's land area? The answer is wrapped in a tale almost 200 years in the making. Dr. Ivelaw Griffith takes us on an insightful journey from the nascent years of the Bolivarian Republic and its then-colonial neighbor, right up to today's war of words and saber rattling.Venezuela's initial claims to the Essequibo, the disputed territory, began as far back as 1841. During this period of nation-building, we see a fresh new republic eager to settle the...
2023-12-1834 min
Conversations with TylerFuchsia Dunlop on the Story of Chinese FoodIn her third appearance on the show, Chinese food expert Fuchsia Dunlop joins Tyler and a group of special guests to celebrate the release of Invitation to a Banquet, her new book exploring the history, philosophy, and techniques of Chinese culinary culture. As with her previous appearance, this conversation was held over a banquet meal at Mama Chang and was hosted by Lydia Chang. As they dined, the group discussed why the diversity in Chinese cuisine is still only just being appreciated in the West, how far back our understanding of it goes, how it's represented in...
2023-12-131h 42The Rasheed Griffith ShowThe Techniques of Market Access — Federico SequedaSend us a textWhat does it actually mean to "restructure" debt? Federico Sequeda, a portfolio manager at Morgan Stanley, discusses the intricacies of default with our CEO Rasheed Griffith. No two restructurings are the same and we get to the bottom of the how and why behind the hard conversations Caribbean governments find themselves in to attempt fiscal correction.The region is no stranger to default. A dearth of foreign investment and a glaring lack of projects to invest in may be to blame. Coupled with a faltering reputation due to lapses in accountability an...
2023-11-181h 03The Rasheed Griffith ShowDollarization: A Solution For Argentina with Emilio OcampoSend us a textArgentina is gearing up to make one of the most pivotal decisions in its economic recovery: dollarization. The country heads to the polls this weekend, and a win for presidential hopeful Javier Milei means a vote for the shift to an officially dollarized financial system. Emilio Ocampo is the man tasked by the potential new president to coordinate and execute the transition to the dollar. In this episode, he discusses the implications of this controversial move and the conditions that have brought one of Latin America's most culturally and economically significant...
2023-10-2036 minThe Rasheed Griffith ShowUS Financial Sanctions and Dollar Dominance with Daniel McDowellSend us a textIs US Dollar dominance going away? No. Let's get that out of the way immediately. Rasheed Griffith and Daniel McDowell sit down for a much more serious and interesting conversation, grounded in the reality of economic and political history. The US dollar has been the reserve currency of the world since Bretton Woods in the 1940s. How did that come to be and what effects do sanctions have on the global standing of the greenback? "Demise of the dollar" predictions are nothing new, often surfacing during periods of economic turmoil and...
2023-10-1747 minThe Rasheed Griffith ShowPromoting Trade and Investment in the Caribbean with Deodat MaharajSend us a textThe Caribbean's brand potential on the world stage is not being fully realized. Deodat Maharaj, Director of Caribbean Export, argues that several regional obstacles must be addressed before the Caribbean product can be unified and finally achieve true recognition globally. Firstly, there's financing for small and micro-businesses. They comprise more than 60% of the Caribbean's business economy. There's also the process of transitioning a business from an informal one, to a registered entity. The business environment of the region is difficult, with most of the countries ranking low in terms of ease...
2023-10-1140 minThe Rasheed Griffith ShowSingapore: Anglo-Chinese Capitalism with Bryan CheangSend us a textBritish imperialism might be why Singapore has such high living standards today. The British were able to transplant their social norms and institutions more easily onto colonies like Singapore and Hong Kong. This, at least, is part of what Bryan Cheang argues in this episode of Caribbean Progress with Rasheed Griffith. But what made Singapore more receptive than others to British values, even within the British Empire itself?Modern Singapore's status as a democracy is contested in every political theory classroom. But how much of that is warranted? Its technocratic government’s...
2023-10-0625 minThe Rasheed Griffith ShowThe Balance Sheet at the Center of the World with Joseph WangSend us a textWelcome back to Caribbean Progress with Rasheed Griffith, a podcast of CPSI. In this episode, I am joined by the insightful Joseph Wang, a former senior trader on the open market desk at the Federal Reserve Bank in New York. We discuss the expanding internationalization of the Fed and the steadfast dominance of the USD in global trade and finance across the dollar zone. Key Points0:00 Internationalization of the Fed9:40 Interest Rates in the Dollar Zone14:13 Fed's Policy and the Eurodollar Market20:02...
2023-09-2543 minThe Rasheed Griffith ShowCalypso Music is a Window into Caribbean politicsSend us a textIn this experimental episode of Caribbean Progress with Rasheed Griffith, Rasheed reviews three Caribbean songs with two long-time friends, Kenidi Prescod and Akil Walton. These songs fall under the genre of social commentary calypso, referencing political decisions throughout the Caribbean. This episode was fun, and we hope you enjoy it.Note: Bajan means Barbadian.The lyrics of the songs discussed in the episode are in the transcription section. ResourcesGypsy - Sinking ShipRas Iley - IMF Take OverMighty...
2023-07-2559 min
Global Taiwan InsightsGTI Insights Season 4, Episode 1: A Conversation with Rasheed Griffith on Taiwan-China Competition in the CaribbeanIn this episode GTI Insights, GTI Program Manager Marshall Reid and Program Associate Zoë Weaver-Lee interview Rasheed Griffith, a non-resident senior fellow with the Asia & Latin America Program at the Inter-American Dialogue. In a wide-ranging discussion, Griffith shares his perspectives on Taiwan's diplomatic partnerships in the Caribbean, growing Chinese investment in the region, and US efforts to push back against Beijing's influence in Caribbean states.
2023-01-3124 min
China in the AmericasThere’s A Plot Afoot?In this episode, Rasheed talks to Ethan Knecht about free trade agreements and investments of China in other countries. Exchanging thoughts and opinions regarding the Panama Canal dispute and diplomatic relationships between MERCOSUR and China.LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:Fireside Chat on Latin America with General Laura RichardsonCONNECT WITH ETHAN KNECHT:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ethan.knecht/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ethan-knecht/ CONNECT RASHEED GRIFFITH:Twitter: https://twitter.com/ra...
2022-10-0353 min
THE LAB PANAMA PODCASTTRAIN, EAT, SLEEP, INVEST and REPEAT! | EP. 07 RASHEED GRIFFITHEn este episodio especial en ingles nuestro host y Coach Jorge Amado recibe al Founder Member #01 de Lab Privé Rasheed Griffith director de operaciones de Merkle Hedge, una empresa comercial propietaria de estrategias múltiples para Crypto Markets con sede en Barbados, Panamá, Filipinas y Toronto, Rasheed viaja mucho y todavía se presenta listo para trabajar duro 3 veces por semana.
Aplica en The Lab Privé aqui: https://www.thelabfitness.world/the-lab-prive
The Lab Privé Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelabprive/
The Lab Club Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelabpanama/
Ra...
2022-10-0246 minChina in the AmericasChina and Tech in the Global SouthIn this episode, Rasheed talks to Bryce Barros, Nathan Kohlenberg, and Etienne Soula about their report about China’s influence over the digital information environment outside of its borders.LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:China and the Digital Informations Stack in the Global SouthCONNECT WITH BRYCE, NATHAN, AND ETIENNE:Bryce BarrosTwitter: https://twitter.com/barros_bryceLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brycecbarros/Nathan KohlenbergTwitter: https://twitter.com/nkohlenbergLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathankohlenberg/Etienne SoulaTwitter: https://twitter.com/etiennesoulaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/etienne-soula/
2022-08-3158 min
Talks on ChinaRasheed Griffith on China in the CaribbeanIn November 2021, Barbados became the latest Commonwealth nation to remove the Queen as its head of state. Some British policymakers and commentators attributed this trend to growing Chinese influence in the Caribbean, but does this narrative reflect the reality on the ground?
Chris Cash and Archie Brown are joined by Rasheed Griffith, a non-resident senior fellow with the Asia and Latin America programme and the Inter-American Dialogue and head of operations at Merkle Hedge, to talk over the nature of Chinese engagement in the Caribbean and how it's shaping regional developments.
What does the 'China...
2022-08-1524 minChina in the AmericasTo China or the Market? Commercial Creditors and Caribbean Debt FinancingTo China or the market? Why borrow from a Private lender instead of China? In this episode, Rasheed talks to Federico Sequeda about why international US-based commercial creditors invest in Caribbean bond markets. Federico Sequeda is Head of Country Research and Portfolio Manager for the Emerging Markets Team at Eaton Vance. Eaton Vance is a part of Morgan Stanley Investment Management. Key Points Include:Fundamental Debt MetricsWhy governments may prefer private financing over concessionary loans Do Chinese loans crowd out private creditors What are the data challenges in investing in emer...
2022-07-261h 09China in the AmericasPanamá-China RelationsThe Republic of Panama officially recognized the People's Republic of China in 2017. Ever since then, there has been a constant parade of op-eds from think tanks about the potential risk of China's advance in Central America. We are joined by Sebastian Naranjo, a PhD candidate at Renmin University in Beijing and an Asia Desk Officer in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Panamá, to seek some truth from facts on this issue. Why did Panamá cut diplomatic relations with Taiwan in favor of the PRC?How central is the canal to politics in Panamá? What tangible proje...
2022-07-201h 08
Stranded Technologies PodcastEp. 1: Navigating the Regulatory Maze of International Finance, Banking in Emerging Markets and Crypto in Special Jurisdictions w/ Sean Pawley & Rasheed GriffithNiklas talks with Sean Pawley, CEO and Founder of Seshat Bank and Rasheed Griffith, COO and Chief Compliance Officer of Merkle Hedge.Sean has founded an API-first commercial bank for Latin America. He talks about his journey from East Africa to Central America, and how he uses the novel regulatory regime on Prospera Honduras to innovate in key areas for banking.Notably, he talks about the "Pawnbroker for All Seasons" model to risk management pioneered by Mervyn King (ex. Governor of the Bank of England) as an improvement over the "Lender of Last Resort" Model.
2022-06-141h 22
The Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada PodcastRasheed Griffith on the Geopolitics of Tech in the CaribbeanRasheed Griffith sits down with Elina Noor to outline the technology landscape, competing priorities, and structural constraints in the Caribbean. Cautioning observers to see the Caribbean for what it actually is rather than what we want to see in it, he debunks assumptions about China’s presence and influence in the region through initiatives like the Digital Silk Road.
Rasheed is non-resident senior fellow with the Asia and Latin America Program at the Inter-American Dialogue and Head of Operations at Merkle Hedge, a Canadian financial tech firm focused on high-frequency trading strategies in cryptocurrency markets.
2022-06-0933 minChina in the AmericasLegal Dynamics of Sovereign Debt MarketsIMF Structural Adjustment Programs; Private Creditor Committees; Chinese bilateral loan contracts; Activist Hedge Funds; Paris Club vs China Development Bank.In foreign policy circles there is so much talk about Chinese bilateral loans in Latin America and the Caribbean (and globally). But there seems to be little understanding of the dynamics sovereign debt markets which have important players like private investors and the International Monetary Fund. To discuss all of this we are joined by Thomas Laryea. Thomas formerly served as Assistant General Counsel at the International Monetary Fund, where he was responsible for the IMF’s le...
2022-03-0358 minChina in the AmericasDollarization Equals Economic FreedomU.S Foreign Policy in the Caribbean seldom contemplates Monetary Policy. Domestic currencies in the Caribbean pervert economic freedom. Rather than being seen as economic imperialism, the spread of United States Dollars in the Caribbean should be seen as the spread of economic freedom. I am joined by Dr. DeLisle Worrell, former Governor of the Central Bank of Barbados to discuss why all Caribbean currencies should be permanently retired in favor of adopting the USD as the sole currency throughout the region. We also discuss the potential of Chinese RMB internationalisation in the Caribbean. Further reading: The Time H...
2022-02-1257 minChina in the AmericasRedux: China-LAC 2021 Top StoriesIn this episode I am joined by Ethan Knecht (author of The China-LAC Dispatch) and Mitch Hayes (author of The China Signal) for a roundtable discussion on what we think were the top stories of 2021 as it relates to China-Latin America & the Caribbean relations. Message/Follow me on Twitter: @rasheedguo (for more information on China in the Americas topics)Music: Silver Tongue Devil by Masego ft. Shenseea Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2022-02-101h 04
Policy PeopleChina in the Caribbean with Rasheed GriffithIn this conversation, I discuss Chinese foreign policy in the Caribbean with Rasheed Griffith. We discuss China’s growing influence in the region, why Taiwan will lose all its Caribbean allies within a decade, how the US created a void for China to fill, which country’s economy is sustained by selling second passports to Chinese nationals, fintech and cryptocurrency experiments, infrastructure diplomacy and the need for development, why Haiti’s status as a country may be questionable, how Caribbean tax havens operate as Belt and Road-side ATMs that dispense funds to BRI recipient countries, and many more topics. “...
2021-08-2756 min
China in the AmericasThe Canada-China Political Deep FreezeFollowing the 2018 arrest of Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou 孟晚舟 on extradition charges to the USA, the political relationship of Canada and China has entered a "Deep Freeze" (as stated by David Mulroney, former Canadian Ambassador to China). In retaliation Chinese authorities arrested two Canadians in China; one of them recently sentenced to 11 years in jail. Earlier this year Canadian parliament declared that the treatment of Uyghurs in Xinjing, China amounts to "genocide". What is the current landscape of Sino-Canadian relations and where can the two countries go from here? This episode features Prof. Gordon Houlden: Director Emeritus China Institu...
2021-08-2143 minChina in the AmericasSmall State Diplomacy and ChinaHow should the embassies of small states be structured to optimize their economic return in relation to China? This episode features Dr. Chelston Brathwaite, Barbados's Ambassador to the People's Republic of China (2014-2017). Prior to that, Dr. Brathwaite served as the Director General of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA). Show NotesDr. Brathwaite's recently published memoirs- Memories of China: My Eleventh Defining MomentMessage/Follow me on Twitter: @rasheedguo (for more info on China in the Americas topics)Outro Music: Hit It by The Mighty Gabby
2021-08-0645 minChina in the AmericasA New Era in China's Development Finance to Emerging EconomiesEarlier this year China published a white paper on its new approach to International Development Finance. Our guest, Stella Zhang, described this white paper as a "landmark document" in Chinese foreign policy. We discuss the implications of the document along with the nuances of how Chinese firms currently approach international contracting projects and financing. How will these firms operate differently going forward? How will Latin America and Caribbean countries capitalize on China's more explicit signaling of its willingness to assist with economic growth and development?Hong (Stella) Zhang is a PhD candidate at George Mason University. Her r...
2021-08-0445 minChina in the AmericasScott MacDonald on Bank De-Risking in the Caribbean and the New Cold War DebateScott B. MacDonald is a Senior Associate at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). He is also the chief economist at Smith’s Research & Gradings. Prior to that, he was the head of research at MC Asset Management LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Mitsubishi Corporation; chief economist for KWR International and an international economic adviser in the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency in Washington, D.C.Show NotesThe Return of the Cold War in the Caribbean by Scott Is There a ‘New Normal’ for De-risking in the Caribbean? by Scott Mes...
2021-08-0348 min
China in the AmericasWill China Be Cuba's Next Patron?To truly understand Sino-Cuban relations you need to understand the context of Cuba's relations with Venezuela, the US, and the former USSR. Why did USSR become the Patron of Cuba for most of the Cold War? Why did Venezuela step in to support Cuba after the USSR collapse? Just as the last cold war will Cuba be the nexus of the "New Cold War"? We discussed all of these questions. Dr. Bradley J. Murg is Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, Director of Research, and Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of International R...
2021-07-2549 min
Café & SedaChina-Caribbean relations, a conversation with Rasheed GriffithChina-Caribbean relations, a conversation with Rasheed Griffith In this episode, our hosts David and Parsifal talk with Rasheed Griffith about China´s engagement with the Caribbean. Rasheed is a Research Fellow at the Future Forum (Cambodia) , Director of the Caribbean-ASEAN Council (Philippines), and a George Mason University Emergent Ventures Fellow. He is also Head of Operations at Tokamak Labs, a Canadian financial technology company and the host of the China in the Caribbean podcast, a space dedicated to exploring the growing economic, political and social aspects of Sino-Caribbean relations.During the conversation Rasheed a...
2021-06-2246 min
China in the AmericasA Deep Dive on Banking with Chinese LendersKanyi Lui is a Taiwanese-Australian international finance lawyer based in Beijing. He is a Partner at Pinsent Masons with almost two decades of experience advising major financial institutions and borrowers on the development and financing of energy, natural resource, and infrastructure projects in emerging markets. He has particular expertise on projects falling within the ambit of China’s Belt-and-Road Initiative (BRI). Kanyi is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, the Malaysian Institute of Arbitrators, Prime Disputes and Arbitrators’ and Mediators’ Institute of New Zealand, and has rights of audience before the AIFC Court. Show notes...
2021-06-141h 25
Policy PeoplePolicy People Podcast: Exploring Environmental Security with Dimitrios KantemnidisWelcome to the Policy People Podcast. In this conversation, I explore the world of environmental security with Dimitrios Kantemnidis. We explore emerging maritime threats in the Mediterranean sea, how naval officers may deescalate standoffs at sea, the implications and real world scope of environmental security, how climate change amplifies conflicts, the difference between nature and the environment, the culture gap between the environmental and security policy communities, Dimitrios’ vision for an integrated European environmental security policy, and many more topics. You can listen to the episode right away in the audio player embedded above, or right below it...
2021-05-0855 min
China in the AmericasLTG Charles Hooper on China and US Security CooperationRetired Lieutenant General Charles Hooper is the Former Director of the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (2017-2020). LTG Hooper was commissioned in 1979 as an infantryman. Since then his political-military assignments include: Assistant Army Attaché to China; the Deputy Division Chief, War Plans Division; Senior Country Director for China, Taiwan and Mongolia Policy, Office of the Secretary of Defense; and U.S. Defense Attaché to the People's Republic of China among other prominent assignments. LTG Hooper joined The Cohen Group as a Senior Counselor in October 2020 following a distinguished 41-year military career. He is also a Senior Fellow at the Belfer Cent...
2021-05-011h 03
China in the AmericasEconomic History of the Caribbean since the Napoleonic WarsIt is impossible to have a serious and nuanced conversation on the Caribbean's engagement with China without understanding the historical context of the Caribbean economies. When we study the arc of Caribbean economic history, a wide-scale engagement with China (as the world's largest exporter and soon the largest importer) should not be seen as any kind of hard pivot but instead the continuation of the Caribbean's long-standing trade dynamic. However, we must avoid falling into the trap of thinking that engagement with China is a zero-sum game. In this episode I'm joined by Victor Bulmer-Thomas, Professor Emeritus of E...
2021-03-271h 01China in the AmericasGuangzhou to Barbados: Growing up Chinese in the CaribbeanBarbados is 91% Black. East Asians account for just around 0.1% of the country's population. In this episode I chat with my friend Lin Jiang (Jack) about his experience growing up and living in the Caribbean. He moved to Barbados when we was 7 years old and immediately had to deal with questions of identity and issues of racism that persist until today.Subscribe to China in the Caribbean Newsletter on SubstackMessage/Follow me on Twitter: @rasheedguo (for more info on China-Caribbean topics)Email me: hello@rasheedjg.me...
2021-03-2428 minChina in the AmericasUS-China Tech Competition & the Transpacific ExperimentFrom BYD buses in Barbados, Huawei infrastructure in Antigua, Surveillance tech in Jamaica, and ZTE in Cuba, the US-China tech competition dramatically affects the Caribbean. In this episode I am joined by Matt Sheehan to discuss these issues as well as his book: The Transpacific Experiment. He is a Fellow at MacroPolo, a think tank of the Paulson Institute. Follow Matt on Twitter: @mattsheehan88Show NotesRemaking "Made in China": Beijing's Industrial Internet Ambitions by Matt SheehanHow Silicon Valley Views China Across Five Dimensions by Matt SheehanJamaica EyeBYD in Barbados Antigua and B...
2021-03-241h 02China in the AmericasHow the Caribbean Approaches Diplomacy with ChinaIn this episode I am joined by Barbados's Ambassador to the People's Republic of China, His Excellency Ambassador Francois Jackman. We discussed several major foreign policy and geopolitical themes centred on the Caribbean's diplomatic posture towards China and the North Atlantic.Ambassador Jackman on Twitter: @francoisjackman Show Notes Barbados Foreign Policy Fifty Years and Beyond by Amb. JackmanThe Caribbean also needs to Pivot by Amb. JackmanCARICOM Council for Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR) Cuba-US-Caribbean Relations Overview of China-Barbados RelationsOrganisation of American States (OAS)China's economic engagement in the Caribbean (coauthored by me)
2021-03-0450 minChina in the AmericasWe're All In The Caribbean with Tyler CowenI'm now an Emergent Ventures Fellow! I've received a generous grant from the Mercatus Center at George Mason University. The grant will be used to develop this podcast and create more China-Caribbean relations content (newsletter coming soon)! This is all thanks to this episode's guest - Tyler Cowen. He is the Director of the Mercatus Center and an Economics Professor at George Mason University. Tyler is also the coauthor (along with Alex Tabarrok of the Marginal Revolution blog) and host of the Conversations with Tyler Podcast. Show NotesSir. Arthur Lewis, Nobel Prize winning...
2021-02-251h 15
The China Africa ProjectChina's Low Profile Diplomacy in the CaribbeanChina is steadily, albeit quietly, deepening its ties in the Caribbean region using many of the same techniques that it did in the early 2000s when it ramped up its engagement in Africa. The Chinese are buying more agriculture, building infrastructure, and integrating a growing number of Caribbean states into its Belt and Road global trade agenda.
But Rasheed Griffith, host of the China in the Caribbean Podcast, cautions that while Beijing's engagement in the Caribbean may look a lot like what it's doing in Africa and other developing regions, there are some important differences.
JOIN THE DISCUSSION:
Facebook: www...
2021-02-1945 minChina in the AmericasDoes Washington D.C. Think About the Caribbean?This episode features Wazim Mowla, a Program Assistant at the Atlantic Council Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center Caribbean Initiative. Previously he worked at the Embassy of Guyana and the Embassy of Antigua and Barbuda in Washington DC. Wazim on Twitter: @WMowlaShow NotesThe Strange Saga of Taiwan's Short-Lived Office in GuyanaCaribbean Basin Security Initiative RecommendationsLatin America Confronts the United States: Asymmetry and Influence by Tom LongIsland People: The Caribbean and the World by Joshua Jelly-SchapiroFollow me on Twitter: @rasheedguoIntro MusicD...
2021-02-1737 minChina in the AmericasSino-Venezuelan Relations with Parsifal D’SolaThis episode features Parsifal D’Sola, a Chinese Foreign Policy analyst focused on Sino-Venezuelan relations. He is also the Founder and CEO of the Andrés Bello Foundation – China Latin American Research Center based in Bogota, Colombia.Parsifal of Twitter: @pdsolaShow notes:China, Venezuela, and the New Silk Road in between China in the LAC: Digital Diplomacy During COVID-19What is PetroCaribe? China-Latin America Finance DatabaseMercosur: South America's Fractious Trade BlocFollow me on Twitter: @rasheedguoIntro Music:No le Pegue a la Negra by Joe Arr...
2021-02-1333 min
The Political Refugees PodcastAnother coup in the eastIn this episode we speak to friend and host of the podcast China In the Caribbean Rasheed Griffith about the coup in Myanmar.
2021-02-0730 minChina in the AmericasBlack Panthers to Higher Brothers: Blackness and Anti-Blackness in ChinaWhy did the Black Panthers get offered asylum in China? Why did W.E.B Du Bois change his mind about Mao? In this episode I am speaking with Dr. Keisha Brown about Sino-Black Relations. Dr. Brown is an Assistant Professor at Tennessee State University. She is a historian and Asian studies scholar whose work examines the representations of blackness in Modern China. Dr. Brown on Twitter: @DocKBrown85Recommendations Teaching China Through Black History“Blackness in Exile: W.E.B. Du Bois’ Role in the Formation of Representations of Blackness as Conceptualized by the Chines...
2021-01-3142 minChina in the AmericasChina's Security Engagement in the CaribbeanIn this episode I will be talking with Dr. Evan Ellis on the view from the U.S of China's security engagement with the Caribbean. We discussed China's role in UN Peacekeeping missions to Haiti; the commercial and strategic potential of China building a canal in Nicaragua to compete with the Panama Canal; the scenario space for China building military outposts in the Caribbean; and other topics. Dr. Ellis is a research professor of Latin American studies at the U.S. Army War College Strategic Studies Institute and a Senior Associate at the Center of Strategic and I...
2021-01-231h 06China in the AmericasChina Watching from the Caribbean with Jeremy GoldkornIn this episode I'll be chatting with Jeremy Goldkorn. Jeremy worked in China for 20 years as an editor and entrepreneur. He is Editor-in-Chief of SupChina, and co-founder of the Sinica Podcast. We had a wide ranging conversation about wolf worrier diplomacy, CCP thinking, and how to do nuanced China watching. Jeremy on Twitter: @goldkornRecommended Reading:A Fearful Asymmetry: COVID-19 and America's Information Deficit with China 江时学：“战狼外交”是个伪命题An Ignored Canary in an Unknown Coal Mine: The Caribbean's Economic Engagement with ChinaThe 'Little Emperor Model' of Chinese Diplomacy The New Tianxia: Rebuilding China’s Internal and External OrderIntro...
2021-01-1533 minChina in the AmericasDebt and Discontent? Chinese Loans in the CaribbeanIn this episode I'll be chatting with Ruben Gonzalez-Vicente. He is a Lecturer at Leiden University in the Netherlands and studies China's relations in Latin America and the Caribbean. We chat about Chinese loan making in the Caribbean (with a particular focus on Jamaica) and the implications of the Belt and Road Initiative 一带一路 (BRI) for Caribbean development. This is a theme that we will return to again in later episodes of the podcast and the discussion here sets a great foundation.Ruben's Papers:Varieties of Capital and Predistribution: The Foundations of Chinese Infrastructural Investment in the Ca...
2021-01-1041 minChina in the AmericasThe State of Politics in Taiwan (Part 1)Cross-strait relations do feature in caribbean foreign policy given that the region has quite a high proportion of Taiwan allies. We cannot discuss China in the Caribbean without thinking seriously about Taiwan. In this episode I'm having a chat with Lev Nachman, a PhD candidate at UC Irvine. His research focuses on the relationship between social movements and political parties, with a spcial regional interest in Taiwan and Hong Kong. We talk about the domestic politics of Taiwan. Lev on Twitter: @lnachman32Recommended Reading How Liberal is Taiwan? Adultery, the D...
2021-01-1031 minThe China Africa ProjectSpecial Edition: The Year Ahead in China-Africa RelationsWith the COVID-19 pandemic still raging, the debt crisis unresolved, and preparations underway for the triennial China-Africa leaders' summit now underway, 2021 is shaping up to be another pivotal year. In this special edition, analysts and scholars from China, the U.S., and several African countries share their perspectives on how they think these critical issues are going to play out in the months ahead.
This week's show features analysis from the following experts:
1. Zhou Zixiang, Policy & Advocacy Associate at Bridge Consulting in Beijing | @BridgeBeijing
2. Gyude Moore, Senior Policy Fellow at the Center for Global Development in Washington, D.C. | @gyude...
2021-01-041h 01China in the AmericasWhat the Caribbean can Learn about China from AfricaIn this episode i'll be talking with Eric Olander, co-founder of the fantastic China in Africa Project.Caribbean policy makers often believe they have recreate the wheel when it comes to China policy. They don't realize that China has been actively engaged with Africa. And the experience of those African countries can be very instructive for the Caribbean. The two regions have many similarities from being former colonies, relatively undeveloped, and of course being majority black. But the Caribbean is relatively unaware of African generally and even less so of Sino-African relations. In this episode...
2020-12-0133 min
ChinaTalk5G in the Caribbean, Open Source Tech, CCP Twitter Bots, Chinese TV and RapI chatted this week with Rasheed Griffith of the China in the Caribbean Podcast. I highly recommend you check out his channel! We discuss: The possible future of US-China tech competition under the incoming Biden Administration The nature of China's Twitter influence campaigns and what we can learn about making viral memes from Russian disinformation operators. See here for my deep dive. Why open-source software should be the basis for a new US industrial policy and why China is looking to push that same strategy What we can learn from good Chinese tv shows Why we s...
2020-11-2830 minChinaTalk5G in the Caribbean, Open Source Tech, CCP Twitter Bots, Chinese TV and RapI chatted this week with Rasheed Griffith of the China in the Caribbean Podcast. I highly recommend you check out his channel! We discuss: The possible future of US-China tech competition under the incoming Biden Administration The nature of China's Twitter influence campaigns and what we can learn about making viral memes from Russian disinformation operators. See here for my deep dive. Why open-source software should be the basis for a new US industrial policy and why China is looking to push that same strategy What we can learn from good Chinese tv shows Why we s...
2020-11-2830 minChina in the AmericasFrom Open Source Industrial Policy to Chinese RapIn this episode I'm speaking with Jordan Schneider, host of the ChinaTalk Podcast. He also has a great newsletter that you should subscribe to: https://chinatalk.substack.com/We discuss:The possible future of US-China tech competition under the incoming Biden AdministrationThe nature of China's twitter influence campaigns and what we can learn about making viral memes from Russian disinformation operators Why open source software should be the basis for a new US industrial policy and why China is looking to push that same strategyWhat we can learn from good Chinese tv showsWhy we should all be...
2020-11-2732 minChina in the AmericasChina and the Caribbean in the Cold War EraJared Ward is a lecturer at a number of Midwest universities including the University of Akron, John Carroll University, and Notre Dame College (Ohio). In this episode we discuss his PhD research that traces Beijing’s earliest attempts to gain a diplomatic foothold in the Western Hemisphere — from supporting the armed revolution of Fidel Castro to building a brick making factory in Guyana. Guest contact info:Personal website: https://jaredaward.wordpress.com/Twitter: @JA_Ward_Intro Music:Here Comes TroubleChronixx https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfeIfiiBTfYOutro...
2020-11-2233 minChina in the AmericasSino-CARICOM Trade FrustrationsSino-CARICOM trade is a hot topic now. But can a trade agreement between the Caribbean and China actually be useful? In this episode, Alicia Nicholls offers some skepticism on that point. We had a wide ranging discussion about all things trade within the CARICOM (Caribbean Community): issues from the "One China" Recognition split in the region to the lack of policy capacity to even exploit current trade agreements will continue to frustrate the prospects of a Sino-CARICOM trade agreement. Guest BioAlicia Nicholls is an international trade and development specialist with over a decade of experience w...
2020-11-1324 minChina in the AmericasShould Caribbean Firms Pivot to China?In this episode I speak with Dr. Antonio Alleyne. He is a Lecturer at the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus. Previously, he was an Economist in the Ministry of Economic Affairs in Barbados. Dr. Alleyne is one of the few Caribbean persons to receive a PhD from a university in China. We discuss:Pivoting from traditional tourism markets to Asian marketsHow can Caribbean states reimagine the purpose of embassies Persistent protectionist policies in the Caribbeanand more... You can find out more about Dr. Alleyne's work at this Research Gate profile: https://www.res...
2020-11-0626 minChina in the AmericasDelisle Worrell on China in the CaribbeanIn this episode I speak with Dr. Delisle Worrell. He is the former Governor of the Central Bank of Barbados and a current member of the Financial Policy Council of the Bermuda Monetary Authority. He first visited China in 1980. As Governor he established the Fish & Dragon festival; an annual celebration bringing Chinese culture to the Barbadian public. Recommendations: Dr. WorrellThe Economic History of the Caribbean since the Napoleonic Wars by Victor Bulmer-ThomasHandbook of Caribbean Economies (Routledge, forthcoming) edited by Robert LooneyRasheed The Theory of Economic Gr...
2020-11-0334 min
Then Let's Fix It!Ep 11: How Financial Technology Will Facilitate The Caribbean E-commerce EntrepreneurIf there's one thing the vast majority of Caribbean entrepreneurs attempting to take hold of the rapidly growing e-commerce market can agree on, it's this: accepting internet payments is often a challenge and more often than not the available options are exceedingly limited and loaded with service fees.We understand that it's not just the logistics of getting products to the international customer that poses a problem for Caribbean entrepreneurs but also the financial logistics of trading with that same international customer base. That's why in this episode we feature financial technology (FinTech) professional Rasheed J Griffith...
2018-11-2734 min
Freethinking IslandA Secular Movement in Barbados?Rasheed Griffith joins us to talk about the Secular Humanist Society @U.W.I. (University of the West Indies) Cave Hill in B'dos and his thoughts about God and the lack thereof
2013-10-061h 05Freethinking IslandA Secular Movement in Barbados?Rasheed Griffith joins us to talk about the Secular Humanist Society @U.W.I. (University of the West Indies) Cave Hill in B'dos and his thoughts about God and the lack thereof
2013-10-0600 min