The Impact of Trade Liberalization in the Presence of Political Distortions

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Jaevervall, Sebastian; Khoban, Roza
• 署名单位: Leibniz Association; Institut fur Weltwirtschaft an der Universitat Kiel (IFW); University of Zurich
• 刊物名称: AMERICAN ECONOMIC JOURNAL-APPLIED ECONOMICS
• ISSN/ISSBN: 1945-7782
• DOI: 10.1257/app.20230629
• 发表日期: 2025
• 页码: 1-41
• 关键词: INTERNATIONAL-TRADE; market-discipline; growth evidence; connections; PRODUCTIVITY; misallocation; performance; COMPETITION; accession; REFORM

摘要

Political distortions are prevalent in many developing countries, implying substantial productivity losses. This paper investigates the impact of trade liberalization on political distortions in India. First, using variation in political turnover, we identify that politicians distort resources in favor of politically connected firms. Second, we show that reduced tariffs on input goods significantly decrease the distortionary effect of political connections, as trade reduces firms' dependence on politicians for sourcing inputs. The results suggest a new margin for gains from trade through reduced politically driven misallocation, implying that trade can address a widespread source of productivity losses. (JEL D22, D72, F13, F14, O14, O19, O24)