Research Proposal Statement My broader research interests are in the areas of international and comparative political economy, applied game theory, and quantitative methodology. My current research projects focus on the simultaneous interaction between politics and economics at both national and international levels. I am particularly interested in the dynamic relationship between economic liberalization and the political survival of authoritarian regimes. I also have a special interest in East Asian politics, particularly Chinese politics. During the fellowship years, I intend to develop my thesis on foreign direct investment (FDI) liberalization and the political economy of authoritarianism in a book manuscript after submitting the main theoretical and empirical chapters to academic journals. Additionally, I also plan to complete two ongoing projects, one on the change and evolution of international economic institutions in the context of the rise of emerging market countries and the other on an information theory of the design and evolution of tax institutions in China. All projects are linked to my broader research interests on financial globalization and the political economy of authoritarianism which also fit with the research theme of the Watson Institute. Foreign Direct Investment Liberalization and the Political Economy of Authoritarianism Since the early 1980s, a “sea change” in thinking about economic openness has taken place. Many developing countries have moved from state-directed and internally focused strategies towards integration with the world economy [World1991]. They began reducing or removing restrictions on foreign direct investment (FDI) in the 1980s, and the trend became pronounced and widespread during the period… halfway through… always poses a problem in an autocracy. due to a lack of public participation, deliberation and contestation. The study of information asymmetry, together with the study of the commitment problem in my thesis, aims to build a general theory of authoritarian politics. I also plan to collect data to test the theory. During my first year of fellowship, I plan to submit at least two articles to journals based on the two projects. Conclusion The ultimate goals of all research projects are to gain an understanding of the political causes and consequences of financial reform and economic liberalization at both the national and international levels. The research will contribute to our knowledge of economic globalization and political democratization and fits well with one of the Watson Institute's main research themes, global transformation.