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First globalization: why did France missed the boat?

Author

Listed:
  • Stéphane Bécuwe

    (GREThA - Groupe de Recherche en Economie Théorique et Appliquée - UB - Université de Bordeaux - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)

  • Bertrand Blancheton

    (GREThA - Groupe de Recherche en Economie Théorique et Appliquée - UB - Université de Bordeaux - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)

  • Léo Charles

    (GREThA - Groupe de Recherche en Economie Théorique et Appliquée - UB - Université de Bordeaux - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)

Abstract

Starting from Bairoch's observation of declining French foreign trade, especially in emerging markets during the first globalization (1880-1914), this article endeavours to identify the sources for the failure to exploit the opportunities afforded by global economic growth after 1870. For this purpose a comprehensive dataset of French imports and exports of unparalleled size was assembled to investigate the changes these underwent both in geographical and product distribution over a period of 64 years. Applying standard tests of trade flow concentration, we find that France's trade structure reflected its early intra-industry specialization which implied increasing reliance on 'proximity' markets.

Suggested Citation

  • Stéphane Bécuwe & Bertrand Blancheton & Léo Charles, 2013. "First globalization: why did France missed the boat?," Working Papers hal-00879996, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:wpaper:hal-00879996
    Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://hal.science/hal-00879996
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Commerce international; Commerce intra-branche; Première mondialisation; Spécialisation; France; International trade; Intra-Industry trade; 1st globalization; Specialization;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • N7 - Economic History - - Economic History: Transport, International and Domestic Trade, Energy, and Other Services

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