The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank's environmental and social policies: a critical discourse analysis

Article

Radavoi, Ciprian N. and Bian, Yongmin. 2018. "The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank's environmental and social policies: a critical discourse analysis." Journal of International and Comparative Social Policy. 34, pp. 1-18. https://doi.org/10.1080/21699763.2017.1372301
Article Title

The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank's environmental and social policies: a critical discourse analysis

Article CategoryArticle
AuthorsRadavoi, Ciprian N. and Bian, Yongmin
Journal TitleJournal of International and Comparative Social Policy
Journal Citation34, pp. 1-18
Number of Pages18
Year2018
PublisherRoutledge
Place of PublicationUnited Kingdom
ISSN2169-9763
2169-978X
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1080/21699763.2017.1372301
Web Address (URL)https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of-international-and-comparative-social-policy/article/asian-infrastructure-investment-banks-environmental-and-social-policies-a-critical-discourse-analysis/54767BAB999B8EAA3F5A245CA126AD5D
Abstract

Like all other multilateral development banks, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), which approved its first loan in November 2016, has adopted Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) policies. Treating the text as Chinese discourse and using Critical Discourse Analysis as methodological tool, this article unveils socio-political interests beyond its contents and semiotics. We identify areas where the AIIB policies are intertextual with the ones that inspired them, namely those of the World Bank and the regional multilateral development banks, but also important departures from their discursive practice, reflecting the legal culture and strategic interests of AIIB's founders. Both appropriation and colonisation of ‘classical’ ESGs by the AIIB ones lead to reflection on social wrongs associated with development, and suggest solutions for turning development safeguards into meaningful instruments.

KeywordsAIIB; Asia; China; critical discourse analysis; development lending; social justice
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020480308. International trade and investment law
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Byline AffiliationsUniversity of New England
University of International Business and Economics, China
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