# INTRODUCTION

**Author:** Laurence Wilse-Samson **Affiliation:** Columbia School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA)

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This comprehensive textbook examines economic coercion by states in the context of strategic competition, with primary focus on US-China rivalry and applications to other geographies including US-Soviet Cold War cases and contemporary examples. The book combines academic rigor with practical policy relevance.

## Companion Game

A companion browser-based strategy game, **EconWar**, lets readers play out economic-coercion scenarios from multiple national perspectives — including U.S., Chinese, European, and Global South decision-makers — operationalizing the frameworks developed in this book.

Play the game: [econwar.vercel.app](https://econwar.vercel.app/)

The game is designed to be used alongside the tabletop exercises in Appendix A, allowing readers to move from structured classroom simulations to open-ended solo play.

## Purpose

This book serves three audiences:

1. **Policymakers and practitioners** - Practical reference for understanding tools and strategies
2. **Students and educators** - Comprehensive textbook with exercises and teaching materials
3. **Analysts and researchers** - Data sources, case studies, and analytical frameworks

## Special Features

Each chapter includes:

* **Executive Summary** - Practitioner-focused key takeaways
* **Government Tools Boxes** - Detailed authorities, mechanisms, and examples
* **Perspective Boxes** - Chinese and other international viewpoints
* **Maps and Data Visualizations** - Strategic geography and trends
* **Case Studies** - Real-world applications with lessons learned
* **Tabletop Exercises** - Practical scenario-based learning
* **Data Sources** - Comprehensive guide to databases and tracking tools

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*Last Updated: April 2026*


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