The Chinese Belt and Road Initiative has produced a flurry of activities both in the countries
of the South Caucasus and in Russia. While mostly analyzed through the lens of geo-politics and
geo-economics there is new research emerging that represents more sophisticated approaches
from a variety of social science disciplines. This volume based on the AESC Annual Convention
in December 2020 collects a sample of critical voices to study the effects of infrastructure
projects on local livelihoods on sustainable and environmentally sound development
transparency and inclusiveness.
