Missing Gains from Trade?

S-Tier
Journal: American Economic Review
Year: 2014
Volume: 104
Issue: 5
Pages: 317-21

Score contribution per author:

4.022 = (α=2.01 / 2 authors) × 4.0x S-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

In a class of trade models which satisfy a constant elasticity gravity equation, the welfare gains from trade can be computed using the open economy domestic trade share and a constant trade elasticity. The measured welfare gains from trade from this quantitative approach are typically relatively modest. In this paper, we suggest a channel for welfare gains that this quantitative approach typically abstracts from: trade-induced changes in domestic productivity. Using a model of sequential production, in which trade induces a reorganization of production that raises domestic productivity, we show that the welfare gains from trade can become arbitrarily large.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:aea:aecrev:v:104:y:2014:i:5:p:317-21
Journal Field
General
Author Count
2
Added to Database
2026-01-26