International Economics
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Dominick-Salvatore-International-Economics
Problem Draw two relative commodity price lines on Figure 4.12, one between point A
and point C and one intersecting both offer curves to the right of point C . Starting from each of the two price lines that you have drawn, explain the forces that will automatically push the nations toward equilibrium point C . Y X B H F G P F P A A C 1 2 0 FIGURE 4.12. Stable and Unstable Equilibria. Equilibrium point A is unstable because any displacement from it will give rise to economic forces that will automatically move the nations even farther away from it and toward either point B or point C . For example, at P F , Nation 2 demands GH more of commodity X than Nation 1 is willing to export at that price. At the same time, Nation 1 demands FH less of commodity Y than Nation 2 wants to export at P F . For both reasons, P X / P Y will rise until point B is reached. Any small displacement away from point B will push the nations back to point B. On the other hand, if P X / P Y falls below P A , the nations will be pushed toward stable equilibrium point C . Salvatore c04.tex V2 - 10/26/2012 12:58 A.M. Page 108 108 Demand and Supply, Offer Curves, and the Terms of Trade S E L E C T E D B I B L I O G R A P H Y For a problem-solving approach to the material covered in this chapter, see: ■ D. Salvatore, Theory and Problems of International Eco- nomics, 4th ed. (New York: McGraw-Hill, 1996), ch. 3 (sects. 3.3 to 3.6). An excellent discussion of offer curves is found in: ■ A. P. Lerner, “The Diagrammatic Representation of Demand Conditions in International Trade,” Economica, 1934, pp. 319–334. ■ G. Haberler, The Theory of International Trade (London: W. Hodge & Co., 1936), ch. 11. ■ J. Viner, Studies in the Theory of International Trade (New York: Harper & Brothers, 1937), ch. 9. For the law of reciprocal demand, see: ■ J. S. Mill, Principles of Political Economy (New York: Kelly, 1965, a reprint of Mill’s 1848 treatise), ch. 18. For the formal derivation of offer curves perfected by Meade and presented in the appendix to this chapter, see: ■ J. E. Meade, A Geometry of International Trade (London: George Allen & Unwin, 1952), chs. 1–4. I N T E R N e t Online current and historical data on energy prices in gen- eral and petroleum prices in particular are available from the Energy Information Administration at: http://www.eia.doe.gov Historical series on export and import unit values, which are used to determine the terms of trade of 45 countries, as well as other specific commodity prices, are found in International Financial Statistics, published monthly and yearly by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). See: http://www.imf.org Salvatore c05.tex V2 - 10/26/2012 12:56 A.M. Page 109 Factor Endowments and the Heckscher–Ohlin Theory chapter L E A R N I N G G OA L S : After reading this chapter, you should be able to: • Explain how comparative advantage is based on differences in factor endowments across nations • Explain how trade affects relative factor prices within and across nations • Explain why trade is likely to be only a small reason for higher skilled–unskilled wage inequalities 5.1 Introduction In this chapter, we extend our trade model in two important directions. First, we explain the basis of (i.e., what determines) comparative advantage. We have seen in previous chapters that the difference in relative commodity prices between two nations is evidence of their comparative advantage and forms the basis for mutually beneficial trade. We now go one step further and explain the reason, or cause, for the difference in relative commodity prices and comparative advantage between the two nations. The second way we extend our trade model is to analyze the effect that international trade has on the earnings of factors of production in the two trading nations. That is, we want to examine the effect of international trade on the earnings of labor as well as on international differences in earnings. These two important questions were left largely unanswered by Smith, Ricardo, and Mill. According to classical economists, comparative advantage was based on the difference in the productivity of labor (the only factor of production they explicitly considered) among nations, but they provided no explanation for such a difference in productivity, except for possible differences in climate. The Heckscher–Ohlin theory goes much beyond that by extending the trade model of the previous two chapters to examine the basis for comparative advantage and the effect that trade has on factor earnings in the two nations. Section 5.2 deals with the assumptions of the theory. Section 5.3 clarifies the meaning of factor intensity and factor abundance, and explains how the latter is related to factor prices and the shape of the production frontier in each nation. 109 Salvatore c05.tex V2 - 10/26/2012 12:56 A.M. Page 110 110 Factor Endowments and the Heckscher–Ohlin Theory Section 5.4 presents the Heckscher–Ohlin model proper and illustrates it graphically. The effect of international trade on factor earnings and income distribution in the two nations is examined in Section 5.5. The chapter concludes with Section 5.6, which reviews empirical tests of the Heckscher–Ohlin trade model. The appendix presents the formal derivation of the factor–price equalization theorem and introduces more advanced tools for empirically testing the Heckscher–Ohlin trade model. 5.2 Assumptions of the Theory The Heckscher–Ohlin theory is based on a number of simplifying assumptions (some made only implicitly by Heckscher and Ohlin). Rather than note these assumptions along the way as they are needed in the analysis, it is both logical and convenient to present them together and explain their meaning at this point. This will not only allow us to view the theory to be presented in a better perspective but will also make the presentation smoother and more direct. To make the theory more realistic, we will relax these assumptions in the next chapter and examine the effect that such relaxation has on the conclusions reached in this chapter. 5.2 A The Assumptions The Heckscher–Ohlin theory is based on the following assumptions: Download 7.1 Mb. Do'stlaringiz bilan baham: |
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