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Patterns of specialisation and economic complexity through the lens of universal exhibitions, 1855-1900

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  • Giacomo Domini

Abstract

This paper reconstructs Revealed Comparative Advantages (RCA) and Economic Complexity Indices (ECI) for a large number of countries in the second half of the 19th century, by using data from the catalogues of five universal exhibitions held in Paris in 1855, 1867, 1878, 1889, and 1900. This allows overcoming the lack of finely product-disaggregated comparative export data, on which such indices are typically constructed. The analysis of exhibition-based RCAs and ECIs reveals structural change and development processes experienced by countries during those decades, pointing out the relevance of countries' productive structures for long-run growth.

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  • Giacomo Domini, 2019. "Patterns of specialisation and economic complexity through the lens of universal exhibitions, 1855-1900," LEM Papers Series 2019/20, Laboratory of Economics and Management (LEM), Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies, Pisa, Italy.
    • Handle: RePEc:ssa:lemwps:2019/20
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Leslie Hannah & Robert Bennett, 2022. "Large‐scale Victorian manufacturers: Reconstructing the lost 1881 UK employer census," Economic History Review, Economic History Society, vol. 75(3), pages 830-856, August.
    2. Hidalgo, César A., 2023. "The policy implications of economic complexity," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 52(9).
    3. Neagu Olimpia & Neagu Mădălin-Ioan, 2022. "The Environmental Kuznets Curve revisited: economic complexity and ecological footprint in the most complex economies of the world," Studia Universitatis „Vasile Goldis” Arad – Economics Series, Sciendo, vol. 32(1), pages 78-99, March.
    4. Cesar A. Hidalgo, 2022. "Knowledge is non-fungible," Papers in Evolutionary Economic Geography (PEEG) 2229, Utrecht University, Department of Human Geography and Spatial Planning, Group Economic Geography, revised Nov 2022.
    5. C'esar A. Hidalgo, 2022. "Knowledge is non-fungible," Papers 2205.02167, arXiv.org.
    6. Naudé, Wim & Nagler, Paula, 2021. "The Rise and Fall of German Innovation," IZA Discussion Papers 14154, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).

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    Keywords

    patterns of specialisation; revealed comparative advantage; economic complexity; universal exhibitions.;
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