The project has already generated several results that move well beyond the current state of the art. First, we produced the first systematic, 150-year global dataset on submarine telecommunications cables. This is an entirely new empirical foundation for studying how connectivity and infrastructure shape economic and geopolitical outcomes over the long run. Second, we delivered the first rigorous test of Kindleberger’s hegemonic stability hypothesis. We combine a new theoretical framework with two centuries of global data to show how shifts in the international balance of power affect the depth of globalization. As part of this work, we created the Global Treaty Database, the first comprehensive dataset of all international treaties since 1800, which provides an innovative measure of political alignment and offers wide applicability in economics, political science, and law. Third, we uncovered a previously undocumented mechanism of geopolitical influence in the developing world: collateralized infrastructure projects. Based on rich new data we collected, we show how Chinese financial institutions use collateralized lending for infrastructure to maximize the probability of loan repayment and retain influence well after the loans have been disbursed. We show that many infrastructure loans are backed by project-unrelated revenue streams from commodity revenues. This suggest that China may use infrastructure lending to gain leverage not only over infrastructure assets but also over recipient countries’ commodity exports. Taken together, these insights significantly advance knowledge in international economics, international law, and international political economy. As the project and data collection continues, we hope to advance the research frontier further.
