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Rate of Profit in the United States and in China (2007–2014): A Look at Two Trajectories and Strategic Sectors

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  • Adalmir Antonio Marquetti
  • Catari Vilela Chaves
  • Leonardo Costa Ribeiro
  • Eduardo da Motta e Albuquerque

Abstract

This paper investigates the turbulent behavior that might exist under a national average rate of profit. We use a database—ORBIS—that allows our investigation to start from the level of the firm, with data from 2007 to 2014. A comparison between the United States and China organizes the statistical description of the rates of profit in those countries. Three issues are investigated: the trajectories of the national average rate of profit and their disaggregation; the distribution of different rates of profit by firms, economic sectors, and manufacturing sectors, and the stability of those distributions over time.

Suggested Citation

  • Adalmir Antonio Marquetti & Catari Vilela Chaves & Leonardo Costa Ribeiro & Eduardo da Motta e Albuquerque, 2021. "Rate of Profit in the United States and in China (2007–2014): A Look at Two Trajectories and Strategic Sectors," Review of Radical Political Economics, Union for Radical Political Economics, vol. 53(1), pages 116-142, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:reorpe:v:53:y:2021:i:1:p:116-142
    DOI: 10.1177/0486613420917683
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    rate of profit; different national rates of profit; intersectoral differences in profitability;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • P16 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Capitalist Economies - - - Capitalist Institutions; Welfare State
    • O33 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes

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