1,007 research outputs found

    The Harrod-Balassa-Samuelson Effect: A Survey of Empirical Evidence

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    The paper surveys empirical evidence on the Harrod-Balassa-Samuelson effect. The survey encompasses the published empirical work on the phenomenon since its (re)discovery in 1964. In total, 58 empirical papers are examined within a specialized analytical framework. The body of empirical evidence is synthesized through four major elements. The analysis starts with the ongoing controversy related to the name of the theory. This is followed by a presentation of the evolution of the theoretical and econometric model. It ends with an analysis of the results of the surveyed empirical studies. Results of the survey indicate that growing body of evidence definitely points towards professional rethinking about the significance of the Harrod-Balassa-Samuelson effect.Harrod Balassa Samuelson effect, real exchange rate, purchasing power parity, productivity

    The Political Economy of Textbook Writing: Paul Samuelson and the making of the first ten Editions of Economics (1945-1976)

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    Over the past two decades, numerous contributions to the history of economics have tried to assess Paul Samuelson’s political positioning by tracing it in the subsequent editions of his famous textbook Economics. This literature, however, has provided no consensus about the location of Samuelson’s political ideas. While some authors believe that Samuelson has always had inclinations toward interventionism, others conclude that he more often acted as a pro-business advocate. The purpose of this paper is not to argue for one of these two interpretations but to depict the making of Economics itself as a political process. By ‘political’ it is not meant the conduct of party politics but the many political elements that a textbook author has to take into account if he wants to be published and favorably received. I argue that the “middle of the road” stance that Samuelson adopted in the book was consciously constructed by the MIT economist, with the help of his home institution and his publishing company, McGraw-Hill, to ensure both academic freedom and the success of the book. The reason for which the stance developed is related to pre-McCarthyist right-wing criticisms of the textbook and how Samuelson and the MIT department had to endure the pressures from members of the Corporation (MIT’s Board of Trustees), who tried to prevent the publication of the textbook and threatened Samuelson’s tenure at MIT as soon as 1947 – when early manuscripts were circulated. As a result, it was decided in accordance with both the Corporation and McGraw-Hill that the Readings volume would be published to balance conflicting ideas about state intervention. Following these early criticisms, the making of the subsequent editions relied on a network of instructors and referees all over the US in order to make it as successful and consensual as possible. This seemed to work quite well in the 1950s and for a good portion of the 1960s, until Economics became victim of its own success and was seen, in an ironical twist of fate, as a right wing text by younger, radical economists. From now on, Samuelson will try to have his book sent as often as possible to the radicals for referring process, with mixed results. Eventually, the book became criticized from both its left and its right.Paul Samuelson, Economics, Textbook, Politics, Economic Education

    The Balassa-Samuelson Effect in 'East & West'. Differences and Similarities

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    Based on two detailed Balassa-Samuelson (BS) studies, Wagner and Hlouskova (2004) for eight Central Eastern European countries (CEECs) and Wagner and Doytchinov (2004) for ten Western European countries (WECs), this study assesses the differences and similarities of the BS effect between these two country groups. The econometric results show that the BS effect may have been overestimated in previous studies due to application of inappropriate first generation panel cointegration methods. When appropriately quantified, the BS effect itself explains RER movements respectively inflation differentials only to a small extent. However, extended BS relationships that include additional variables allow for an adequate modelling of inflation. Based on the comparative analysis we draw some conclusions for monetary policy in the future enlarged Euro Area.Balassa-Samuelson effect, Central and Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Non-stationary panels, Inflation simulations

    Comparative Statics, English Auctions, and the Stolper-Samuelson Theorem

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    Changes in the parameters of an nn-dimensional system of equations induce changes in its solutions. For a class of such systems, we determine the qualitative change in solutions given certain qualitative changes in parameters. Our methods and results are elementary yet useful. They highlight the existence of a common thread, our ``own effect'' assumption, in formally diverse areas of economics. We discuss several applications; among them, we establish the existence of efficient equilibria in English auctions with interdependent valuations, and a version of the Stolper-Samuelson Theorem for an n×nn \times n trade model.effficient auctions, international trade theory, implicit function theorem

    DOES THE STOLPER-SAMUELSON THEOREM HOLD WITH LESS TRADE DISTORTION?: A COMPUTABLE GENERAL EQUILIBRIUM

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    This paper examines the effects of agricultural trade policy changes in the Brazilian agriculture using CGE model. An extended Salter-Swan model is employed to verify if the Stolper-Samuelson theorem holds and the consequences in terms of prices, production and resources allocation. Results show that the Stolper-Samuelson hypothesis is reversed when imports and domestic goods are poor substitutes. The reduction in the import tariff increases national income, implying that inappropriate trade policy adjustments can stand in the way of promoting rapid and equitable growth of the economy.Stolper-Samuelson theorem, CGE model, trade distortion, Brazilian agriculture., International Relations/Trade,

    Growth of complex branched nanostructures resembling trees via multiple seeding by gold aerosol nanoparticles

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    Kimberly A. Dick, Knut Deppert, Magnus W. Larsson, Thomas Mårtensson, Werner Seifert, L. Reine Wallenberg and Lars Samuelson. Am. Assoc. for Aerosol Research. (AAAR) Boston, (2004

    Beyond the Salassa-Samuelson Effect in some New Member States of the European Union

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    This paper analyses the Balassa and Samuelson hypothesis in two groups of European countries: six New Member States (NMS) and six advanced EU-15 economies. It is found that the second stage of the hypothesis, which relates relative sector prices with the real exchange rate, does not hold anywhere. In the NMS the main reasons are increased demand for domestic tradables stemming from positive differentials in economic growth, probably coupled with quality improvements in domestic tradable goods. In the EU-15, the explanatory factor is segmentation between national markets of tradables, caused by transportation costs, non-tariff barriers and imperfect competition between firms.Balassa-Samuelson effect, panel cointegration, economic transition, market segmentation, quality bias

    Growth of complex branched nanostructures resembling trees via multiple seeding by gold aerosol nanoparticles

    No full text
    Kimberly A. Dick, Knut Deppert, Magnus W. Larsson, Thomas Mårtensson, Werner Seifert, L. Reine Wallenberg and Lars Samuelson. Am. Assoc. for Aerosol Research. (AAAR) Boston, (2004

    "The Economics of Outsourcing: How Should Policy Respond?"

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    According to Research Associate Thomas A. Palley, global outsourcing represents a new economic challenge that calls for a new set of institutions. In this brief, he expands upon the problems of offshore outsourcing as outlined in Public Policy Brief no. 86 and focuses on the microeconomic foundations. He argues that outsourcing is a central element of globalization that is best understood as a new form of competition. Palley urges policymakers to understand the economic basis of outsourcing in order to develop effective policies, and suggests that they focus on enhancing national competitiveness and establishing new rules that govern the nature of global competition.
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