Something Rational in the State of Denmark? The Case of an Outsider in the Cobden-Chevalier Network 1860-1875

TY - UNPB

T1 - Something Rational in the State of Denmark?

T2 - The Case of an Outsider in the Cobden-Chevalier Network 1860-1875

AU - Lampe, Markus

AU - Sharp, Paul Richard

N1 - JEL classification: N7

PY - 2009

Y1 - 2009

N2 - We examine the case of an important outsider to the Cobden-Chevalier network of bilateral treaties in the second half of the nineteenth century. We attempt to explain this through a study of the structure of Danish trade and protection. We demonstrate, in contrast to previous accounts that have considered Danish trade policy somewhat irrational, that Denmark was right to remain outside. She had little to gain from concluding treaties, since her main trading partners offered free trade for her exports, agricultural goods, and she needed her own tariffs for revenue purposes.

AB - We examine the case of an important outsider to the Cobden-Chevalier network of bilateral treaties in the second half of the nineteenth century. We attempt to explain this through a study of the structure of Danish trade and protection. We demonstrate, in contrast to previous accounts that have considered Danish trade policy somewhat irrational, that Denmark was right to remain outside. She had little to gain from concluding treaties, since her main trading partners offered free trade for her exports, agricultural goods, and she needed her own tariffs for revenue purposes.

KW - Faculty of Social Sciences

KW - bilateral treaties

M3 - Working paper

BT - Something Rational in the State of Denmark?

PB - Department of Economics, University of Copenhagen

ER -