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Trade, the Staple Theory of Growth, and Fluctuations in Colonial Singapore, 1900–39

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  • Keen Meng Choy
  • Ichiro Sugimoto

Abstract

Our paper enquires into the nexus between trade, growth, and fluctuations in the British colony of Singapore during the early twentieth century. Hitherto, little quantitative economic history has been written on this great entrepôt of Southeast Asia due to a lack of data. We overcome this limitation by utilising the gross domestic product series recently constructed for the pre‐war period by Sugimoto. This comprehensive data set enables us to explore the relevance and applicability of the staple theory of export‐led growth to colonial Singapore through cliometric analyses. The results suggest that foreign trade had acted both as an engine of growth and a source of economic instability.

Suggested Citation

  • Keen Meng Choy & Ichiro Sugimoto, 2013. "Trade, the Staple Theory of Growth, and Fluctuations in Colonial Singapore, 1900–39," Australian Economic History Review, Economic History Society of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 53(2), pages 121-145, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:ozechr:v:53:y:2013:i:2:p:121-145
    DOI: 10.1111/aehr.12007
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    Cited by:

    1. Atsushi Kobayashi, 2017. "Price Fluctuations and Growth Patterns in Singapore's Trade, 1831–1913," Australian Economic History Review, Economic History Society of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 57(1), pages 108-129, March.
    2. Ayuso-Díaz, Alejandro, 2022. "Natural trading partners versus empires in East and Southeast Asia regional integration (1840-1938)," Journal of the Japanese and International Economies, Elsevier, vol. 63(C).
    3. Apicha Chutipongpisit, 2022. "The Siamese rice trade during the interwar years: Trade pattern, crisis and business survival," Australian Economic History Review, Economic History Society of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 62(3), pages 211-233, November.

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