Globalization, Markups, and US Welfare

S-Tier
Journal: Journal of Political Economy
Year: 2017
Volume: 125
Issue: 4
Pages: 1040 - 1074

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

This paper estimates the impact of globalization on markups, and the effect of changing markups on US welfare, in a monopolistic competition model. We work with symmetric translog preferences, which allow for endogenous markups and firm entry and exit, thereby changing product variety. We find that between 1992 and 2005, US import shares rose and US firms exited, leading to an implied fall in markups, while variety went up because of imports. US welfare rose by nearly 1 percent as a result of these changes, with product variety contributing one-half of that total and declining markups the other half.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:ucp:jpolec:doi:10.1086/692695
Journal Field
General
Author Count
2
Added to Database
2026-01-25