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Geography and comparative advantage

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  • Ricci, Luca Antonio

Abstract

This paper investigates the relation between agglomeration of economic activity and the pattern of specialization of countries. We develop a model encompassing a Ricardian comparative advantage, increasing returns to scale, product differentiation, monopolistic competition, trade costs, and factor mobility. Several interesting results arise. An endogenous relative increase in the size of one country makes this country less specialized in the homogeneous constant returns commodity and more specialized in the differentiated increasing returns IRS sectors; within the IRS industry, this country will become less specialized in the differentiated good in which it has a comparative advantage. Agglomeration occurs not only in large markets, but also in locations with a high average efficiency in the increasing return industry. Ceteris paribus, comparative advantage drives specialization, while absolute advantage drives agglomeration.

Suggested Citation

  • Ricci, Luca Antonio, 1996. "Geography and comparative advantage," Discussion Papers, Series II 321, University of Konstanz, Collaborative Research Centre (SFB) 178 "Internationalization of the Economy".
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:kondp2:321
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Paul Krugman & Anthony J. Venables, 1995. "Globalization and the Inequality of Nations," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 110(4), pages 857-880.
    2. Dixit, Avinash K & Stiglitz, Joseph E, 1977. "Monopolistic Competition and Optimum Product Diversity," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 67(3), pages 297-308, June.
    3. Antonio Ricci, Luca, 1997. "A Ricardian Model of New Trade and Location Theory," Journal of Economic Integration, Center for Economic Integration, Sejong University, vol. 12, pages 47-61.
    4. Krugman, Paul & Venables, Anthony J., 1996. "Integration, specialization, and adjustment," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 40(3-5), pages 959-967, April.
    5. Martin, Philippe & Rogers, Carol Ann, 1995. "Industrial location and public infrastructure," Journal of International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 39(3-4), pages 335-351, November.
    6. repec:hhs:iuiwop:430 is not listed on IDEAS
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    Cited by:

    1. Shin-Chyang Lee, 2016. "Endogenous Sunk-Costs Technology and Home Market Effects," International Journal of Economics and Finance, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 8(3), pages 117-122, March.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Agglomeration; Specialization; Ricardian comparative advantage; Monopolistic competition; Scale economies; Location;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F11 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Neoclassical Models of Trade
    • F12 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Models of Trade with Imperfect Competition and Scale Economies; Fragmentation
    • F15 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Economic Integration
    • L13 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Oligopoly and Other Imperfect Markets
    • R12 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Size and Spatial Distributions of Regional Economic Activity; Interregional Trade (economic geography)

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