TY - JOUR
T1 - Effects of Bilateralism and the MFN Clause on International Trade
T2 - Evidence for the Cobden-Chevalier Network, 1860-1875
AU - Lampe, Markus
PY - 2009
Y1 - 2009
N2 - This study contributes to a revised picture of nineteenth-century bilateralism. Employing a new disaggregated data set, it argues that bilateral treaties did not implement general free trade, but instead reduced tariffs unevenly through commodity-specific preferences, especially favoring manufactured goods. Gravity model estimates show that specific liberalizations increased exports of corresponding items, but not overall trade. Exporters from countries whose governments used bilateralism strategically to bring down partner tariffs benefitted most. Hence, the network in form and outcome is more properly identified with reciprocal liberalization practiced by the French than with British free-trade ideology.
AB - This study contributes to a revised picture of nineteenth-century bilateralism. Employing a new disaggregated data set, it argues that bilateral treaties did not implement general free trade, but instead reduced tariffs unevenly through commodity-specific preferences, especially favoring manufactured goods. Gravity model estimates show that specific liberalizations increased exports of corresponding items, but not overall trade. Exporters from countries whose governments used bilateralism strategically to bring down partner tariffs benefitted most. Hence, the network in form and outcome is more properly identified with reciprocal liberalization practiced by the French than with British free-trade ideology.
U2 - 10.1017/S0022050709001363
DO - 10.1017/S0022050709001363
M3 - Journal article
SN - 0022-0507
VL - 69
SP - 1012
EP - 1040
JO - Journal of Economic History
JF - Journal of Economic History
IS - 4
ER -