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International Trade Policy in a Model of Unemployment and Wage Differentials

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  • Steven J. Matusz

Abstract

The author examines the effects of import tariffs and export subsidies in a two-sector model with sector-specific wage differentials and an equilibrium level of unemployment. In general, such policies change both the composition and level of employment. Policies designed to attract workers to the high-wage sector could also result in reduced employment and lower social welfare. This could happen if the low-wage sector is also the relatively labor-intensive sector. In such situations, the optimal policy might entail protecting the low-wage, labor-intensive sector. I examine the effects of import tariffs and export subsidies in a two-sector model with sector-specific wage differentials and an equilibrium level of unemployment. In general, such policies change both the composition and level of employment. Policies designed to attract workers to the high-wage sector could also result in reduced employment and lower social welfare. This could happen if the low-wage sector is also the relatively labour-intensive sector. In such situations the optimal policy might entail protecting the low-wage labour-intensive sector.

Suggested Citation

  • Steven J. Matusz, 1994. "International Trade Policy in a Model of Unemployment and Wage Differentials," Canadian Journal of Economics, Canadian Economics Association, vol. 27(4), pages 939-949, November.
  • Handle: RePEc:cje:issued:v:27:y:1994:i:4:p:939-49
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Egger, Hartmut & Egger, Peter & Kreickemeier, Udo, 2013. "Trade, wages, and profits," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 64(C), pages 332-350.
    2. Albert Max & Meckl JuÈrgen, 2001. "Efficiency-Wage Unemployment and Intersectoral Wage Differentials in a Heckscher- Ohlin Model," German Economic Review, De Gruyter, vol. 2(3), pages 287-301, August.
    3. Elias Dinopoulos & Laixun Zhao, 2007. "Child Labor and Globalization," Journal of Labor Economics, University of Chicago Press, vol. 25(3), pages 553-579.
    4. Das, Satya P., 2001. "Trade and relative wages: The role of supervisory function by skilled workers," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 45(1), pages 45-65, January.
    5. Judith C. Chin, 1998. "Rural‐Urban Wage Differentials, Unemployment, and Efficiency Wages: An Open Economy Policy Analysis," Southern Economic Journal, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 65(2), pages 294-307, October.
    6. Hartmut Egger & Udo Kreickemeier, 2017. "Firm Heterogeneity and the Labor Market Effects of Trade Liberalization," World Scientific Book Chapters, in: International Trade and Labor Markets Welfare, Inequality and Unemployment, chapter 10, pages 265-306, World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd..
    7. Steven J. Matusz & David G. Tarr, 2017. "Adjusting To Trade Policy Reform," World Scientific Book Chapters, in: Trade Policies for Development and Transition, chapter 4, pages 77-114, World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd..
    8. Hartmut Egger & Udo Kreickemeier, 2017. "International Fragmentation: Boon or Bane for Domestic Employment?," World Scientific Book Chapters, in: International Trade and Labor Markets Welfare, Inequality and Unemployment, chapter 9, pages 237-263, World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd..
    9. Devashish Mitra & Priya Ranjan, 2007. "Offshoring and Unemployment," Working Papers 060719, University of California-Irvine, Department of Economics.
    10. Max Albert & Jürgen Meckl, 2003. "Involuntary Unemployment and the Existence of GDP Functions," Metroeconomica, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 54(1), pages 79-88, February.
    11. Hoekman & Bernard & Winters, L. Alan, 2005. "Trade and employment : stylized facts and research findings," Policy Research Working Paper Series 3676, The World Bank.
    12. Eckel, Carsten, 2003. "Labor market adjustments to globalization: unemployment versus relative wages," The North American Journal of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 14(2), pages 173-188, August.
    13. Vesna Stavrevska, 2011. "The efficiency wages perspective to wage rigidity in the open economy: a survey," International Journal of Manpower, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 32(3), pages 273-299, June.
    14. Albert, Max & Meckl, Jürgen, 1997. "Efficiency wages, unemployment and welfare: A trade theorists' guide," Discussion Papers, Series II 348, University of Konstanz, Collaborative Research Centre (SFB) 178 "Internationalization of the Economy".
    15. Özlem Onaran, 2007. "The effects of globalization on income distribution," Working Paper Reihe der AK Wien - Materialien zu Wirtschaft und Gesellschaft 100, Kammer für Arbeiter und Angestellte für Wien, Abteilung Wirtschaftswissenschaft und Statistik.
    16. Carl Davidson & Steven J. Matusz, 2010. "Our Motivation," Introductory Chapters, in: International Trade with Equilibrium Unemployment, Princeton University Press.

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