Trade, Structural Transformation, and Development: Evidence from Argentina 1869-1914

• 成果类型: Article; Early Access
• 署名作者: Fajgelbaum, Pablo; Redding, Stephen J.
• 署名单位: Princeton University; National Bureau of Economic Research
• 刊物名称: JOURNAL OF POLITICAL ECONOMY
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0022-3808
• DOI: 10.1086/718915
• 发表日期: 2022
• 关键词: agricultural productivity; comparative advantage; transport costs; urban-growth; IMPACT; urbanization; CONVERGENCE; TECHNOLOGY; migration; railroads

摘要

We provide new theory and evidence on the role of external and internal integration in structural transformation and economic development, using Argentina's integration into the world economy in the late nineteenth century. Our theoretical model provides microfoundations for a spatial Balassa-Samuelson effect, in which locations closer to world markets have higher population densities, urban population shares, relative prices of nontraded goods, and land prices relative to wages, as well as specializing in traded goods that are transport-cost sensitive. We estimate the model's parameters, provide evidence in support of this spatial Balassa-Samuelson mechanism, and find substantial effects of both external and internal integration on economic development.