Internal Geography, International Trade, and Regional Specialization

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Cosar, A. Kerem; Fajgelbaum, Pablo D.
• 署名单位: University of Chicago; University of California System; University of California Los Angeles
• 刊物名称: AMERICAN ECONOMIC JOURNAL-MICROECONOMICS
• ISSN/ISSBN: 1945-7669
• DOI: 10.1257/mic.20140145
• 发表日期: 2016
• 页码: 24-56
• 关键词: comparative advantage; economic-integration; disadvantage; location; MODEL; mobility; COSTS; CHINA

摘要

We introduce an internal geography to the canonical model of international trade driven by comparative advantages to study the regional effects of external economic integration. The model features a dual-economy structure, in which locations near international gates specialize in export-oriented sectors while more distant locations do not trade with the rest of the world. The theory rationalizes patterns of specialization, employment, and relative incomes observed in developing countries that opened up to trade. We find regional specialization patterns consistent with the model in industry-level data from Chinese prefectures.