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Geography, Non-Homotheticity, and Industrialization: A Quantitative Analysis

Author

Listed:
  • Holger Breinlich
  • Alejandro Cuñat

Abstract

We propose a quantitative framework for the analysis of industrialization in which specialization in manufacturing or agriculture is driven by comparative advantage and non-homothetic preferences. Countries are integrated through trade but trade is not costless and geographic position matters. We use a number of analytical examples and a multi-country calibration to explain two important empirical regularities: (i) there is a strong positive correlation between proximity to large markets and levels of manufacturing activity; (ii) there is a positive correlation between the ratio of agricultural to manufacturing productivity and shares of manufacturing in GDP. Our calibrated model replicates these facts and also provides a better fit to cross-sectional data on manufacturing shares than frameworks which ignore the role of trade costs or non-homotheticity. We use the calibrated model to quantitatively analyze the effect of increases in agricultural productivity and a further lowering of trade barriers.

Suggested Citation

  • Holger Breinlich & Alejandro Cuñat, 2012. "Geography, Non-Homotheticity, and Industrialization: A Quantitative Analysis," CeFiG Working Papers 19, Center for Firms in the Global Economy, revised 01 Dec 2012.
    • Handle: RePEc:cfg:cfigwp:19
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Jörg Mayer, 2013. "Towards More Balanced Growth Strategies In Developing Countries: Issues Related To Market Size, Trade Balances And Purchasing Power," UNCTAD Discussion Papers 214, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development.
    2. Dorothee Hillrichs, 2023. "The global geography of income and export patterns," LIDAM Discussion Papers IRES 2023001, Université catholique de Louvain, Institut de Recherches Economiques et Sociales (IRES).
    3. Breinlich, Holger & Cuñat, Alejandro, 2013. "Geography, non-homotheticity, and industrialization: A quantitative analysis," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 103(C), pages 133-153.
    4. Grundmann, Rainer & Gries, Thomas, 2015. "Crucial for Modern Sector Development? The Role of Exports and Institutions in Developing Countries," VfS Annual Conference 2015 (Muenster): Economic Development - Theory and Policy 112962, Verein für Socialpolitik / German Economic Association.
    5. Dorothee Hillrichs, 2025. "Foreign Market Access’ Role for Export Quality," CESifo Working Paper Series 11906, CESifo.
    6. repec:rim:rimwps:18-04 is not listed on IDEAS
    7. Jaimovich, Esteban & Merella, Vincenzo, 2015. "Love for quality, comparative advantage, and trade," Journal of International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 97(2), pages 376-391.
    8. Betty ASSE & Dalila CHENAF-NICET, 2021. "Note on the role of domestic and external demand on the process of premature deindustrialization," Region et Developpement, Region et Developpement, LEAD, Universite du Sud - Toulon Var, vol. 54, pages 145-160.
    9. Gislain Stéphane Gandjon Fankem & Cédric Feyom, 2024. "Is trade openness a barrier to industrialization? Evidence from Sub-Saharan Africa," Review of World Economics (Weltwirtschaftliches Archiv), Springer;Institut für Weltwirtschaft (Kiel Institute for the World Economy), vol. 160(2), pages 713-759, May.

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • F11 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Neoclassical Models of Trade
    • F12 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Models of Trade with Imperfect Competition and Scale Economies; Fragmentation
    • F14 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Empirical Studies of Trade
    • O14 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Industrialization; Manufacturing and Service Industries; Choice of Technology

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