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Revisiting the tariff‐growth correlation: The Australasian colonies, 1866–1900

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  • Brian D. Varian

Abstract

This article tests for the presence of a tariff‐growth correlation among the seven tariff‐autonomous colonies of late‐nineteenth‐century Australasia, making use of several colony‐specific macroeconomic series that have only recently become available. Introducing tariffs to a convergence model yields no evidence of an association between tariffs and growth among the Australasian colonies. This finding is unaltered when the tariff variable is replaced by a purposefully constructed proxy variable for the tariff on manufactures specifically. Additionally, this article finds little evidence that tariffs induced an intersectoral adjustment into manufacturing.

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  • Brian D. Varian, 2022. "Revisiting the tariff‐growth correlation: The Australasian colonies, 1866–1900," Australian Economic History Review, Economic History Society of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 62(1), pages 47-65, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:ozechr:v:62:y:2022:i:1:p:47-65
    DOI: 10.1111/aehr.12233
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    Cited by:

    1. Brian D. Varian & Luke H. Grayson, 2024. "Economic Aspects of Australian Federation: Trade Restrictiveness and Welfare Effects in the Colonies and the Commonwealth, 1900–3," The Economic Record, The Economic Society of Australia, vol. 100(328), pages 74-100, March.
    2. Luke H. Grayson & Brian D. Varian, 2023. "Economic Aspects of Australian Federation: Trade Restrictiveness and Welfare Effects in the Colonies and the Commonwealth, 1901-3," CEH Discussion Papers 01, Centre for Economic History, Research School of Economics, Australian National University.
    3. Brian D. Varian, 2024. "Market integration and a lower-productivity economy: the case of Australian federation and Queensland’s manufacturing sector, 1897–1906," CEH Discussion Papers 06, Centre for Economic History, Research School of Economics, Australian National University.
    4. Brian D. Varian, 2024. "The unavailing origin of Australian protectionism? Victoria's McCulloch Tariff of 1866," CEH Discussion Papers 08, Centre for Economic History, Research School of Economics, Australian National University.

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