Tradability, Productivity, and Understanding International Economic Integration

38 Pages Posted: 21 Oct 2005

See all articles by Paul R. Bergin

Paul R. Bergin

University of California, Davis - Department of Economics; National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

Reuven Glick

Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco - Center for Pacific Basin Monetary & Economic Studies

Multiple version iconThere are 2 versions of this paper

Date Written: September 2005

Abstract

This paper develops a two-country macro model with endogenous tradability to study features of international economic integration. Recent episodes of integration in Europe and North America suggest some surprising observations: while quantities of trade have increased significantly, especially along the extensive margin of goods previously not traded, price dispersion has not decreased and may even have increased. These observations challenge the usual understanding of integration in the literature. We propose a way of reconciling these price and quantity observations in a macroeconomic model where the decision of heterogeneous firms to trade internationally is endogenous. Trade is shaped both by the nature of heterogeneity - trade costs versus productivity - and by the nature of trade policies - cuts in fixed costs versus cuts in per unit costs like tariffs. For example, in contrast to tariff cuts, trade policies that work mainly by lowering various fixed costs of trade may have large effects on entry decisions at the extensive margin without having direct effects on price-setting decisions. Whether this entry raises or lowers price dispersion depends on the type of heterogeneity that distinguishes the new entrants from incumbent traders.

Keywords: International economic integration, International finance, Econometric models

JEL Classification: F4

Suggested Citation

Bergin, Paul R. and Glick, Reuven, Tradability, Productivity, and Understanding International Economic Integration (September 2005). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=822925 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.822925

Paul R. Bergin (Contact Author)

University of California, Davis - Department of Economics ( email )

One Shields Drive
1141 Social Sciences & Humanities Bldg.
Davis, CA 95616-8578
United States
530-752-8398 (Phone)
530-752-9382 (Fax)

National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

1050 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02138
United States

Reuven Glick

Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco - Center for Pacific Basin Monetary & Economic Studies ( email )

101 Market Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
United States
415-974-3184 (Phone)
415-974-2168 (Fax)