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Quality and Trade

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  • Murphy, Kevin M
  • Shleifer, Andrei

Abstract

We present a model of trade in which similar countries trade more with each other than very different countries. The reason is that high human capital countries have a comparative advantage at producing high quality goods, but are also rich enough to want to consume high quality. As a result, countries choose trading partners at a similar level of development, who produce similar quality products. The model helps account for the observed trade patterns, and sheds light on international income comparisons. It also helps explain recent concerns of Eastern European countries that they have "nothing to sell" to the West.
(This abstract was borrowed from another version of this item.)

Suggested Citation

  • Murphy, Kevin M & Shleifer, Andrei, 1997. "Quality and Trade," Scholarly Articles 30722111, Harvard University Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:hrv:faseco:30722111
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    File URL: http://dash.harvard.edu/bitstream/handle/1/30722111/66.pdf
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    Other versions of this item:

    • Murphy, Kevin M. & Shleifer, Andrei, 1991. "Quality and Trade," Working Papers 66, The University of Chicago Booth School of Business, George J. Stigler Center for the Study of the Economy and the State.
    • Kevin M. Murphy & Andrei Shleifer, 1991. "Quality and Trade," NBER Working Papers 3622, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    2. Alwyn Young, 1991. "Learning by Doing and the Dynamic Effects of International Trade," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 106(2), pages 369-405.
    3. Raymond Vernon, 1970. "Introduction to "The Technology Factor in International Trade"," NBER Chapters, in: The Technology Factor in International Trade, pages 1-5, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
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    5. repec:sae:niesru:v:111:y::i:1:p:48-61 is not listed on IDEAS
    6. Raymond Vernon, 1966. "International Investment and International Trade in the Product Cycle," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 80(2), pages 190-207.
    7. Deardorff, Alan V., 1984. "Testing trade theories and predicting trade flows," Handbook of International Economics, in: R. W. Jones & P. B. Kenen (ed.), Handbook of International Economics, edition 1, volume 1, chapter 10, pages 467-517, Elsevier.
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    9. Kelvin J. Lancaster, 1966. "A New Approach to Consumer Theory," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 74(2), pages 132-132.
    10. Jones, Ronald W. & Peter Neary, J., 1984. "The positive theory of international trade," Handbook of International Economics, in: R. W. Jones & P. B. Kenen (ed.), Handbook of International Economics, edition 1, volume 1, chapter 1, pages 1-62, Elsevier.
    11. Nancy L. Stokey, 1991. "Human Capital, Product Quality, and Growth," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 106(2), pages 587-616.
    12. Nancy L. Stokey, 1991. "The Volume and Composition of Trade Between Rich and Poor Countries," The Review of Economic Studies, Review of Economic Studies Ltd, vol. 58(1), pages 63-80.
    13. James R. Markusen, 2021. "Explaining the Volume of Trade: An Eclectic Approach," World Scientific Book Chapters, in: BROADENING TRADE THEORY Incorporating Market Realities into Traditional Models, chapter 9, pages 177-186, World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd..
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    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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