I am starting work on a paper on Taiwan/China trade issues. Do readers have suggestions for good books or articles on ways in which trade does/doesn’t affect political sovereignty?
I’m not looking for stuff about globalization in general (e.g., the issue raised by much of the French Left that global trade shifts power away from the national government, and towards various multinationals). Rather, I’m looking for material (historical, or present) about bi-lateral trade–especially in the context of bi-lateral situations where one trade partner is much larger, or otherwise more powerful, than the other.
For example, Danish trade with rising, powerful Germany in 1880-1939 does not appear to have harmed Denmark’s sovereignty; then when the Nazis did invade in 1940, Denmark’s numerous business contacts with Germany helped convince the Germans to allow a limited degree of Danish autonomy during the first years after the conquest. On the other hand, threats to U.S. business interests in Haiti led to a U.S. invasion in 1915 that, arguably, might not have taken place if Haiti had fewer business ties to the U.S. in the first place.
Extra credit for Volokh Law School students who suggest factors, backed by examples, which make extensive bi-lateral trade more/less likely to impair the sovereignty of the smaller partner.