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Privatization in a Small Open Economy with Imperfect Competition

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  • Arghya Ghosh

    (School of Economics, The University of New South Wales)

  • Partha Sen

    (Delhi School of Economics)

Abstract

We look at privatization in a general equilibrium model of a small, tariff-distorted, open economy. There is a differentiated good produced by both private and public sector enterprises. A reduction in government production in order to cut losses from such production raises the returns to capital and increases the tariff revenue, which are welfare improving. However, privatization also leads to lower wages and possibly fewer private brands. This lowers workers’ welfare, which may make privatization politically infeasible. Privatization can improve workers’ welfare with complementary reforms, e.g., attracting foreign investment or trade liberalization.

Suggested Citation

  • Arghya Ghosh & Partha Sen, 2008. "Privatization in a Small Open Economy with Imperfect Competition," Discussion Papers 2008-21, School of Economics, The University of New South Wales.
    • Handle: RePEc:swe:wpaper:2008-21
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Schweinberger, A.G. & Woodland, A.D., 2015. "Entrepreneurship and conflict generating product price changes," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 78(C), pages 158-174.
    3. Radygin, Alexander & Simachev, Yury & Entov, Revold, 2015. "The state-owned company: “State failure” or “market failure”?1," Russian Journal of Economics, Elsevier, vol. 1(1), pages 55-80.
    4. Malginov, Georgiy (Мальгинов, Георгий) & Radygin, Alexander (Радыгин, Александр), 2015. "Property management of the state treasury of the Russian Federation: some of the current trends [Управление Имуществом Государственной Казны Рф: Некоторые Актуальные Тенденции]," Ekonomicheskaya Politika / Economic Policy, Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration, vol. 4, pages 20-46.
    5. Atolia, Manoj & Kurokawa, Yoshinori, 2016. "The impact of trade margins on the skill premium: Evidence from Mexico," Journal of Policy Modeling, Elsevier, vol. 38(5), pages 895-915.
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    7. Matsumura Toshihiro & Okumura Yasunori, 2017. "Privatization Neutrality Theorem in Free Entry Markets," The B.E. Journal of Theoretical Economics, De Gruyter, vol. 17(2), pages 1-9, June.
    8. Xiaochun Li & Tiantian Jia, 2022. "Partial privatization, producer services, and unemployment in developing countries," Review of Development Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 26(1), pages 423-441, February.
    9. Nguyen, Xuan, 2015. "On the efficiency of private and state-owned enterprises in mixed markets," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 50(C), pages 130-137.
    10. Hiroaki Ino & Akira Miyaoka, 2016. "Government-induced Production Commitment in the Open Economy," Discussion Paper Series 142, School of Economics, Kwansei Gakuin University, revised May 2016.
    11. Pi, Jiancai & Zhang, Pengqing, 2018. "Privatization and wage inequality in developing countries," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 58(C), pages 594-603.
    12. Dianshuang Wang & Xiaochun Li, 2020. "Privatization in Vertically Related Markets: Insights from a General Equilibrium Approach," Hacienda Pública Española / Review of Public Economics, IEF, vol. 234(3), pages 3-21, September.
    13. Haraguchi, Junichi & Matsumura, Toshihiro, 2014. "Price versus quantity in a mixed duopoly with foreign penetration," Research in Economics, Elsevier, vol. 68(4), pages 338-353.
    14. Pi Jiancai & Yin Jun, 2016. "Privatization, Unemployment, and Welfare in the Harris-Todaro Model with a Mixed Duopoly," The B.E. Journal of Economic Analysis & Policy, De Gruyter, vol. 16(4), pages 1-12, October.
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    16. Chao, Chi-Chur & Nabin, Munirul & Nguyen, Xuan & Sgro, Pasquale M., 2016. "Wage inequality and welfare in developing countries: Privatization and reforms in the short and long run," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 42(C), pages 474-483.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    public sector enterprise; privatization; foreign investment; trade liberalization; monopolistic competition;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • H41 - Public Economics - - Publicly Provided Goods - - - Public Goods
    • F12 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Models of Trade with Imperfect Competition and Scale Economies; Fragmentation
    • L32 - Industrial Organization - - Nonprofit Organizations and Public Enterprise - - - Public Enterprises; Public-Private Enterprises

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