Networks in trade - Evidence from the legacy of the Hanseatic league

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Marczinek, Max; Maurer, Stephan; Rauch, Ferdinand
• 署名单位: University of Oxford; University of Edinburgh; University of London; London School Economics & Political Science; University of Konstanz; Ruprecht Karls University Heidelberg; University of St Gallen
• 刊物名称: JOURNAL OF INTERNATIONAL ECONOMICS
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0022-1996
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jinteco.2025.104102
• 发表日期: 2025
• 关键词: Hanseatic league; network; gravity; TRADE

摘要

We study trade networks following the decline of the Hanseatic League, using a novel trade data set that covers cities and captains in Northern Europe over 190 years. By the time of its dissolution in 1669, trade on former Hansa routes is within predictions from a gravity framework. However, the Hansa continue to shape the composition of trade: Trade between cities in the Hanseatic network continues to be facilitated by Hanseatic captains for centuries. Our paper highlights the long-run stability of commercial and social networks, which persist when other economic effects do not.