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Distance, Empire, and British Exports Over Two Centuries

Author

Listed:
  • David Jacks

    (National University of Singapore)

  • Kevin O’Rourke

    (Sciences Po)

  • Alan Taylor

    (Columbia University)

  • Yoto Yotov

    (School of Economics, Drexel University)

Abstract

We introduce a new dataset on British exports at the bilateral, commodity-level from 1700 to 1899. We then pit two primary determinants of bilateral trade against one another: the trade-diminishing effects of distance versus the trade-enhancing effects of the British Empire. We find that the impact of gravity fell by a factor of roughly three between the 1780s and 1850s. The impact of empire on British exports was extremely large throughout, but the impact of 18th century mercantilism was much higher than that of empire in the liberal late 19th century.

Suggested Citation

  • David Jacks & Kevin O’Rourke & Alan Taylor & Yoto Yotov, 2025. "Distance, Empire, and British Exports Over Two Centuries," Working Papers 202525, Center for Global Policy Analysis, LeBow College of Business, Drexel University.
    • Handle: RePEc:drx:wpaper:202525
    as

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    File URL: https://www.lebow.drexel.edu/sites/default/files/2025-05/202525-cgpa_distance-empire-exports.pdf
    File Function: First version, 2025
    Download Restriction: no
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Long run historical data; distance; empire; gravity; international trade;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F10 - International Economics - - Trade - - - General
    • N70 - Economic History - - Economic History: Transport, International and Domestic Trade, Energy, and Other Services - - - General, International, or Comparative
    • N74 - Economic History - - Economic History: Transport, International and Domestic Trade, Energy, and Other Services - - - Europe: 1913-

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