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Behind the Eastern-Western European convergence path: the role of geography and trade liberalization

Author

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  • Adolfo Cristobal-Campoamor

    (ISET, Tbilisi)

  • Osiris Jorge Parcero

    (United Arab Emirates University)

Abstract

This paper proposes a 2-country 3-region economic geography model that can account for the most salient stylized facts experienced by Eastern European transition economies during the period 1990-2005. In contrast to the existing literature, which has favored technological explanations, trade liberalization is the only driving force. The model correctly predicts that in the first half of the period trade liberalization led to divergence in GDP per capita, both between the West and the East and within the East. Consistent with the data, in the second half of the period, this process was reversed and convergence became the dominant force.

Suggested Citation

  • Adolfo Cristobal-Campoamor & Osiris Jorge Parcero, 2011. "Behind the Eastern-Western European convergence path: the role of geography and trade liberalization," Working Papers 1112, Department of Applied Economics II, Universidad de Valencia.
    • Handle: RePEc:eec:wpaper:1112
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • F12 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Models of Trade with Imperfect Competition and Scale Economies; Fragmentation
    • F15 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Economic Integration
    • P2 - Economic Systems - - Socialist Systems and Transition Economies

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