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Irrelevance of Competitive Advantage for the Benefits of International Trade

Title:

Irrelevance of Competitive Advantage for the Benefits of International Trade

Siggel, Eckhard (2012) Irrelevance of Competitive Advantage for the Benefits of International Trade. The Open Economics Journal, 5 (1). pp. 15-20. ISSN 18749194

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1874919401205010015

Abstract

International competitiveness is often regarded as crucial for the attainment of gains from trade, which may lead policy makers to subsidize exports. This view is based on confusion between the concepts of competitive and comparative advantage. The paper argues that when comparative advantage is defined and measured appropriately, not limiting it to the Ricardian and Heckscher-Ohlin models, it becomes a necessary condition for the attainment of gains from trade and it applies to all forms of trade that lead to economy-wide gains. The paper proceeds by reviewing first the concepts and measurements of comparative and competitive advantage. It shows that in order to result in economy-wide benefits, known as gains from trade, trade needs to be based on comparative advantage. It also points to implications for the design of trade and industrial policies.

Divisions:Concordia University > Faculty of Arts and Science > Economics
Item Type:Article
Refereed:Yes
Authors:Siggel, Eckhard
Journal or Publication:The Open Economics Journal
Date:2012
Funders:
  • Concordia Open Access Author Fund
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):10.2174/1874919401205010015
ID Code:974884
Deposited By: ANDREA MURRAY
Deposited On:09 Oct 2012 20:08
Last Modified:18 Jan 2018 17:39
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