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Trade and Empire

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  • Kris James Mitchener
  • Marc Weidenmier

Abstract

We employ a new database of over 21,000 bilateral trade observations from 1870–1913 to assess the contemporaneous effects of empire on trade. Our analysis shows that belonging to an empire roughly doubled trade relative to those countries that were not part of an empire. The use of a common language, the establishment of currency unions, the monetisation of recently acquired colonies, and the establishment of preferential trade agreements and customs unions help to account for the observed increase in trade associated with empire.

Suggested Citation

  • Kris James Mitchener & Marc Weidenmier, 2008. "Trade and Empire," Economic Journal, Royal Economic Society, vol. 118(533), pages 1805-1834, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:econjl:v:118:y:2008:i:533:p:1805-1834
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-0297.2008.02192.x
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    3. Ewout Frankema & Jeffrey Williamson & Pieter Woltjer, 2015. "An Economic Rationale for the African Scramble: The Commercial Transition and the Commodity Price Boom of 1845-1885," NBER Working Papers 21213, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
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    5. Julio Vicente Cateia & Luc Savard & Edivo Oliveira de Almeida & William Barbosa, 2022. "Informality, Trade Facilitation, and Trade Flows: Evidence from Guinea-Bissau," International Journal of Economics and Finance, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 14(11), pages 1-21, November.

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