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From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond J. Peter Neary University of Oxford, CEPR, and CESifo Esm´ ee Fairbairn Lecture University of Lancaster November 28, 2017 J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 1 / 29
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From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

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Page 1: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

From Ricardo to Brexitand Beyond

J. Peter Neary

University of Oxford, CEPR, and CESifo

Esmee Fairbairn LectureUniversity of Lancaster

November 28, 2017

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 1 / 29

Page 2: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

Introduction

Trade@200

David Ricardo, 1772-1823

“On the Principles of Political Economy and Taxation” (1817)

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 2 / 29

Page 3: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

Introduction

Ricardo the Man

Born into an immigrant family

Successful stockbroker

Country gentleman

Liberal parliamentarian

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 3 / 29

Page 4: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

Introduction

Ricardo the Man

Born into an immigrant family

Successful stockbroker

Country gentleman

Liberal parliamentarian

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 3 / 29

Page 5: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

Introduction

Ricardo the Man

Born into an immigrant family

Successful stockbroker

Country gentleman

Liberal parliamentarian

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 3 / 29

Page 6: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

Introduction

Ricardo the Man

Born into an immigrant family

Successful stockbroker

Country gentleman

Liberal parliamentarian

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 3 / 29

Page 7: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

Introduction

Outline

1 The Dawn of Economic Theory

2 David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage

3 Trade and Income Distribution

4 What Ricardo Didn’t Know

5 Policy Relevance

6 Conclusion

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 4 / 29

Page 8: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

The Dawn of Economic Theory

Outline

1 The Dawn of Economic Theory

2 David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage

3 Trade and Income Distribution

4 What Ricardo Didn’t Know

5 Policy Relevance

6 Conclusion

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 5 / 29

Page 9: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

The Dawn of Economic Theory

Economics as a Science

David Ricardo: The Founder of Economic Theory

Deliberately simplified assumptions ...

... plus abstract reasoning ...

... ... leading to general principles

The second essential ingredient for economics as a science

The first: Adam Smith’s broad perspective and concern with empirics

Especially important to the theory of international trade

Provided canonical answers to two of the three main questions in thefield

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 6 / 29

Page 10: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

The Dawn of Economic Theory

Economics as a Science

David Ricardo: The Founder of Economic Theory

Deliberately simplified assumptions ...

... plus abstract reasoning ...

... ... leading to general principles

The second essential ingredient for economics as a science

The first: Adam Smith’s broad perspective and concern with empirics

Especially important to the theory of international trade

Provided canonical answers to two of the three main questions in thefield

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 6 / 29

Page 11: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

The Dawn of Economic Theory

Economics as a Science

David Ricardo: The Founder of Economic Theory

Deliberately simplified assumptions ...

... plus abstract reasoning ...

... ... leading to general principles

The second essential ingredient for economics as a science

The first: Adam Smith’s broad perspective and concern with empirics

Especially important to the theory of international trade

Provided canonical answers to two of the three main questions in thefield

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 6 / 29

Page 12: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

The Dawn of Economic Theory

Economics as a Science

David Ricardo: The Founder of Economic Theory

Deliberately simplified assumptions ...

... plus abstract reasoning ...

... ... leading to general principles

The second essential ingredient for economics as a science

The first: Adam Smith’s broad perspective and concern with empirics

Especially important to the theory of international trade

Provided canonical answers to two of the three main questions in thefield

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 6 / 29

Page 13: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

The Dawn of Economic Theory

Economics as a Science

David Ricardo: The Founder of Economic Theory

Deliberately simplified assumptions ...

... plus abstract reasoning ...

... ... leading to general principles

The second essential ingredient for economics as a science

The first: Adam Smith’s broad perspective and concern with empirics

Especially important to the theory of international trade

Provided canonical answers to two of the three main questions in thefield

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 6 / 29

Page 14: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

The Dawn of Economic Theory

Economics as a Science

David Ricardo: The Founder of Economic Theory

Deliberately simplified assumptions ...

... plus abstract reasoning ...

... ... leading to general principles

The second essential ingredient for economics as a science

The first: Adam Smith’s broad perspective and concern with empirics

Especially important to the theory of international trade

Provided canonical answers to two of the three main questions in thefield

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 6 / 29

Page 15: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

The Dawn of Economic Theory

Economics as a Science

David Ricardo: The Founder of Economic Theory

Deliberately simplified assumptions ...

... plus abstract reasoning ...

... ... leading to general principles

The second essential ingredient for economics as a science

The first: Adam Smith’s broad perspective and concern with empirics

Especially important to the theory of international trade

Provided canonical answers to two of the three main questions in thefield

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 6 / 29

Page 16: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

The Dawn of Economic Theory

Economics as a Science

David Ricardo: The Founder of Economic Theory

Deliberately simplified assumptions ...

... plus abstract reasoning ...

... ... leading to general principles

The second essential ingredient for economics as a science

The first: Adam Smith’s broad perspective and concern with empirics

Especially important to the theory of international trade

Provided canonical answers to two of the three main questions in thefield

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 6 / 29

Page 17: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

The Dawn of Economic Theory

Economics as a Science

David Ricardo: The Founder of Economic Theory

Deliberately simplified assumptions ...

... plus abstract reasoning ...

... ... leading to general principles

The second essential ingredient for economics as a science

The first: Adam Smith’s broad perspective and concern with empirics

Especially important to the theory of international trade

Provided canonical answers to two of the three main questions in thefield

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 6 / 29

Page 18: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

The Dawn of Economic Theory

Economics as a Science

David Ricardo: The Founder of Economic Theory

Deliberately simplified assumptions ...

... plus abstract reasoning ...

... ... leading to general principles

The second essential ingredient for economics as a science

The first: Adam Smith’s broad perspective and concern with empirics

Especially important to the theory of international trade

Provided canonical answers to two of the three main questions in thefield

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 6 / 29

Page 19: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

The Dawn of Economic Theory

Economics as a Science

David Ricardo: The Founder of Economic Theory

Deliberately simplified assumptions ...

... plus abstract reasoning ...

... ... leading to general principles

The second essential ingredient for economics as a science

The first: Adam Smith’s broad perspective and concern with empirics

Especially important to the theory of international trade

Provided canonical answers to two of the three main questions in thefield

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 6 / 29

Page 20: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage

Outline

1 The Dawn of Economic Theory

2 David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage

3 Trade and Income Distribution

4 What Ricardo Didn’t Know

5 Policy Relevance

6 Conclusion

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 7 / 29

Page 21: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage

Before Ricardo: Trade Theory 0.0

Trade Theory 0.0: Mercantilism

Exports and trade surpluses are good, imports are bad

A zombie theory:

Trump: “American carnage”; “protection will lead to great prosperity”

Peter Navarro (Director, White House National Trade Council):“Death by China” (2011)

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 8 / 29

Page 22: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage

Before Ricardo: Trade Theory 0.0

Trade Theory 0.0: Mercantilism

Exports and trade surpluses are good, imports are bad

A zombie theory:

Trump: “American carnage”; “protection will lead to great prosperity”

Peter Navarro (Director, White House National Trade Council):“Death by China” (2011)

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 8 / 29

Page 23: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage

Before Ricardo: Trade Theory 0.0

Trade Theory 0.0: Mercantilism

Exports and trade surpluses are good, imports are bad

A zombie theory:

Trump: “American carnage”; “protection will lead to great prosperity”

Peter Navarro (Director, White House National Trade Council):“Death by China” (2011)

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 8 / 29

Page 24: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage

Before Ricardo: Trade Theory 0.0

Trade Theory 0.0: Mercantilism

Exports and trade surpluses are good, imports are bad

A zombie theory:

Trump: “American carnage”; “protection will lead to great prosperity”

Peter Navarro (Director, White House National Trade Council):“Death by China” (2011)

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 8 / 29

Page 25: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage

Before Ricardo: Trade Theory 0.0

Trade Theory 0.0: Mercantilism

Exports and trade surpluses are good, imports are bad

A zombie theory:

Trump: “American carnage”; “protection will lead to great prosperity”

Peter Navarro (Director, White House National Trade Council):“Death by China” (2011)

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 8 / 29

Page 26: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage

Before Ricardo: Trade Theory 0.0

Trade Theory 0.0: Mercantilism

Exports and trade surpluses are good, imports are bad

A zombie theory:

Trump: “American carnage”; “protection will lead to great prosperity”

Peter Navarro (Director, White House National Trade Council):“Death by China” (2011)

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 8 / 29

Page 27: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage

Before Ricardo: Trade Theory 0.0

Trade Theory 0.0: Mercantilism

Exports and trade surpluses are good, imports are bad

A zombie theory:

Trump: “American carnage”; “protection will lead to great prosperity”

Peter Navarro (Director, White House National Trade Council):“Death by China” (2011)

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 8 / 29

Page 28: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage

Before Ricardo: Trade Theory 0.0

Trade Theory 0.0: Mercantilism

Exports and trade surpluses are good, imports are bad

A zombie theory:

Trump: “American carnage”; “protection will lead to great prosperity”

Peter Navarro (Director, White House National Trade Council):“Death by China” (2011)

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 8 / 29

Page 29: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage

Before Ricardo: Trade Theory 1.0

Trade Theory 1.0: Absolute Advantage (Adam Smith)

A big advance over mercantilism

A central determinant of absolute living standards and trade volumes

But, as a theory of trade patterns: clear, simple, and wrong!

The curse of common sense!

Europe is more efficient at producing cars than China ...... so Europe should export cars to China. Right?But isn’t “efficiency” measured in real terms (e.g., labour productivity)?And Europe is also more efficient at producing textiles than China ...... so Europe should also export textiles to China?But Chinese wages are much lower, so it produces textiles more cheaplyAhhhh! So it’s all about “efficiency” measured in money terms?But at Chinese wages, they could produce cars more cheaply ...

And indulges common-sense prejudices:

Europe is exploiting poor countries because it is more efficient... or ...China is competing unfairly: its wages and/or its currency are too low

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 9 / 29

Page 30: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage

Before Ricardo: Trade Theory 1.0

Trade Theory 1.0: Absolute Advantage (Adam Smith)

A big advance over mercantilism

A central determinant of absolute living standards and trade volumes

But, as a theory of trade patterns: clear, simple, and wrong!

The curse of common sense!

Europe is more efficient at producing cars than China ...... so Europe should export cars to China. Right?But isn’t “efficiency” measured in real terms (e.g., labour productivity)?And Europe is also more efficient at producing textiles than China ...... so Europe should also export textiles to China?But Chinese wages are much lower, so it produces textiles more cheaplyAhhhh! So it’s all about “efficiency” measured in money terms?But at Chinese wages, they could produce cars more cheaply ...

And indulges common-sense prejudices:

Europe is exploiting poor countries because it is more efficient... or ...China is competing unfairly: its wages and/or its currency are too low

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 9 / 29

Page 31: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage

Before Ricardo: Trade Theory 1.0

Trade Theory 1.0: Absolute Advantage (Adam Smith)

A big advance over mercantilism

A central determinant of absolute living standards and trade volumes

But, as a theory of trade patterns: clear, simple, and wrong!

The curse of common sense!

Europe is more efficient at producing cars than China ...... so Europe should export cars to China. Right?But isn’t “efficiency” measured in real terms (e.g., labour productivity)?And Europe is also more efficient at producing textiles than China ...... so Europe should also export textiles to China?But Chinese wages are much lower, so it produces textiles more cheaplyAhhhh! So it’s all about “efficiency” measured in money terms?But at Chinese wages, they could produce cars more cheaply ...

And indulges common-sense prejudices:

Europe is exploiting poor countries because it is more efficient... or ...China is competing unfairly: its wages and/or its currency are too low

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 9 / 29

Page 32: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage

Before Ricardo: Trade Theory 1.0

Trade Theory 1.0: Absolute Advantage (Adam Smith)

A big advance over mercantilism

A central determinant of absolute living standards and trade volumes

But, as a theory of trade patterns: clear, simple, and wrong!

The curse of common sense!

Europe is more efficient at producing cars than China ...... so Europe should export cars to China. Right?But isn’t “efficiency” measured in real terms (e.g., labour productivity)?And Europe is also more efficient at producing textiles than China ...... so Europe should also export textiles to China?But Chinese wages are much lower, so it produces textiles more cheaplyAhhhh! So it’s all about “efficiency” measured in money terms?But at Chinese wages, they could produce cars more cheaply ...

And indulges common-sense prejudices:

Europe is exploiting poor countries because it is more efficient... or ...China is competing unfairly: its wages and/or its currency are too low

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 9 / 29

Page 33: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage

Before Ricardo: Trade Theory 1.0

Trade Theory 1.0: Absolute Advantage (Adam Smith)

A big advance over mercantilism

A central determinant of absolute living standards and trade volumes

But, as a theory of trade patterns: clear, simple, and wrong!

The curse of common sense!

Europe is more efficient at producing cars than China ...... so Europe should export cars to China. Right?But isn’t “efficiency” measured in real terms (e.g., labour productivity)?And Europe is also more efficient at producing textiles than China ...... so Europe should also export textiles to China?But Chinese wages are much lower, so it produces textiles more cheaplyAhhhh! So it’s all about “efficiency” measured in money terms?But at Chinese wages, they could produce cars more cheaply ...

And indulges common-sense prejudices:

Europe is exploiting poor countries because it is more efficient... or ...China is competing unfairly: its wages and/or its currency are too low

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 9 / 29

Page 34: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage

Before Ricardo: Trade Theory 1.0

Trade Theory 1.0: Absolute Advantage (Adam Smith)

A big advance over mercantilism

A central determinant of absolute living standards and trade volumes

But, as a theory of trade patterns: clear, simple, and wrong!

The curse of common sense!

Europe is more efficient at producing cars than China ...... so Europe should export cars to China. Right?But isn’t “efficiency” measured in real terms (e.g., labour productivity)?And Europe is also more efficient at producing textiles than China ...... so Europe should also export textiles to China?But Chinese wages are much lower, so it produces textiles more cheaplyAhhhh! So it’s all about “efficiency” measured in money terms?But at Chinese wages, they could produce cars more cheaply ...

And indulges common-sense prejudices:

Europe is exploiting poor countries because it is more efficient... or ...China is competing unfairly: its wages and/or its currency are too low

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 9 / 29

Page 35: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage

Before Ricardo: Trade Theory 1.0

Trade Theory 1.0: Absolute Advantage (Adam Smith)

A big advance over mercantilism

A central determinant of absolute living standards and trade volumes

But, as a theory of trade patterns: clear, simple, and wrong!

The curse of common sense!

Europe is more efficient at producing cars than China ...... so Europe should export cars to China. Right?But isn’t “efficiency” measured in real terms (e.g., labour productivity)?And Europe is also more efficient at producing textiles than China ...... so Europe should also export textiles to China?But Chinese wages are much lower, so it produces textiles more cheaplyAhhhh! So it’s all about “efficiency” measured in money terms?But at Chinese wages, they could produce cars more cheaply ...

And indulges common-sense prejudices:

Europe is exploiting poor countries because it is more efficient... or ...China is competing unfairly: its wages and/or its currency are too low

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 9 / 29

Page 36: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage

Before Ricardo: Trade Theory 1.0

Trade Theory 1.0: Absolute Advantage (Adam Smith)

A big advance over mercantilism

A central determinant of absolute living standards and trade volumes

But, as a theory of trade patterns: clear, simple, and wrong!

The curse of common sense!

Europe is more efficient at producing cars than China ...

... so Europe should export cars to China. Right?But isn’t “efficiency” measured in real terms (e.g., labour productivity)?And Europe is also more efficient at producing textiles than China ...... so Europe should also export textiles to China?But Chinese wages are much lower, so it produces textiles more cheaplyAhhhh! So it’s all about “efficiency” measured in money terms?But at Chinese wages, they could produce cars more cheaply ...

And indulges common-sense prejudices:

Europe is exploiting poor countries because it is more efficient... or ...China is competing unfairly: its wages and/or its currency are too low

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 9 / 29

Page 37: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage

Before Ricardo: Trade Theory 1.0

Trade Theory 1.0: Absolute Advantage (Adam Smith)

A big advance over mercantilism

A central determinant of absolute living standards and trade volumes

But, as a theory of trade patterns: clear, simple, and wrong!

The curse of common sense!Europe is more efficient at producing cars than China ...

... so Europe should export cars to China. Right?But isn’t “efficiency” measured in real terms (e.g., labour productivity)?And Europe is also more efficient at producing textiles than China ...... so Europe should also export textiles to China?But Chinese wages are much lower, so it produces textiles more cheaplyAhhhh! So it’s all about “efficiency” measured in money terms?But at Chinese wages, they could produce cars more cheaply ...

And indulges common-sense prejudices:

Europe is exploiting poor countries because it is more efficient... or ...China is competing unfairly: its wages and/or its currency are too low

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 9 / 29

Page 38: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage

Before Ricardo: Trade Theory 1.0

Trade Theory 1.0: Absolute Advantage (Adam Smith)

A big advance over mercantilism

A central determinant of absolute living standards and trade volumes

But, as a theory of trade patterns: clear, simple, and wrong!

The curse of common sense!Europe is more efficient at producing cars than China ...

... so Europe should export cars to China. Right?But isn’t “efficiency” measured in real terms (e.g., labour productivity)?And Europe is also more efficient at producing textiles than China ...... so Europe should also export textiles to China?But Chinese wages are much lower, so it produces textiles more cheaplyAhhhh! So it’s all about “efficiency” measured in money terms?But at Chinese wages, they could produce cars more cheaply ...

And indulges common-sense prejudices:

Europe is exploiting poor countries because it is more efficient... or ...China is competing unfairly: its wages and/or its currency are too low

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 9 / 29

Page 39: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage

Before Ricardo: Trade Theory 1.0

Trade Theory 1.0: Absolute Advantage (Adam Smith)

A big advance over mercantilism

A central determinant of absolute living standards and trade volumes

But, as a theory of trade patterns: clear, simple, and wrong!

The curse of common sense!Europe is more efficient at producing cars than China ...... so Europe should export cars to China. Right?

But isn’t “efficiency” measured in real terms (e.g., labour productivity)?And Europe is also more efficient at producing textiles than China ...... so Europe should also export textiles to China?But Chinese wages are much lower, so it produces textiles more cheaplyAhhhh! So it’s all about “efficiency” measured in money terms?But at Chinese wages, they could produce cars more cheaply ...

And indulges common-sense prejudices:

Europe is exploiting poor countries because it is more efficient... or ...China is competing unfairly: its wages and/or its currency are too low

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 9 / 29

Page 40: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage

Before Ricardo: Trade Theory 1.0

Trade Theory 1.0: Absolute Advantage (Adam Smith)

A big advance over mercantilism

A central determinant of absolute living standards and trade volumes

But, as a theory of trade patterns: clear, simple, and wrong!

The curse of common sense!Europe is more efficient at producing cars than China ...... so Europe should export cars to China. Right?

But isn’t “efficiency” measured in real terms (e.g., labour productivity)?And Europe is also more efficient at producing textiles than China ...... so Europe should also export textiles to China?But Chinese wages are much lower, so it produces textiles more cheaplyAhhhh! So it’s all about “efficiency” measured in money terms?But at Chinese wages, they could produce cars more cheaply ...

And indulges common-sense prejudices:

Europe is exploiting poor countries because it is more efficient... or ...China is competing unfairly: its wages and/or its currency are too low

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 9 / 29

Page 41: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage

Before Ricardo: Trade Theory 1.0

Trade Theory 1.0: Absolute Advantage (Adam Smith)

A big advance over mercantilism

A central determinant of absolute living standards and trade volumes

But, as a theory of trade patterns: clear, simple, and wrong!

The curse of common sense!Europe is more efficient at producing cars than China ...... so Europe should export cars to China. Right?But isn’t “efficiency” measured in real terms (e.g., labour productivity)?

And Europe is also more efficient at producing textiles than China ...... so Europe should also export textiles to China?But Chinese wages are much lower, so it produces textiles more cheaplyAhhhh! So it’s all about “efficiency” measured in money terms?But at Chinese wages, they could produce cars more cheaply ...

And indulges common-sense prejudices:

Europe is exploiting poor countries because it is more efficient... or ...China is competing unfairly: its wages and/or its currency are too low

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 9 / 29

Page 42: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage

Before Ricardo: Trade Theory 1.0

Trade Theory 1.0: Absolute Advantage (Adam Smith)

A big advance over mercantilism

A central determinant of absolute living standards and trade volumes

But, as a theory of trade patterns: clear, simple, and wrong!

The curse of common sense!Europe is more efficient at producing cars than China ...... so Europe should export cars to China. Right?But isn’t “efficiency” measured in real terms (e.g., labour productivity)?

And Europe is also more efficient at producing textiles than China ...... so Europe should also export textiles to China?But Chinese wages are much lower, so it produces textiles more cheaplyAhhhh! So it’s all about “efficiency” measured in money terms?But at Chinese wages, they could produce cars more cheaply ...

And indulges common-sense prejudices:

Europe is exploiting poor countries because it is more efficient... or ...China is competing unfairly: its wages and/or its currency are too low

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 9 / 29

Page 43: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage

Before Ricardo: Trade Theory 1.0

Trade Theory 1.0: Absolute Advantage (Adam Smith)

A big advance over mercantilism

A central determinant of absolute living standards and trade volumes

But, as a theory of trade patterns: clear, simple, and wrong!

The curse of common sense!Europe is more efficient at producing cars than China ...... so Europe should export cars to China. Right?But isn’t “efficiency” measured in real terms (e.g., labour productivity)?And Europe is also more efficient at producing textiles than China ...

... so Europe should also export textiles to China?But Chinese wages are much lower, so it produces textiles more cheaplyAhhhh! So it’s all about “efficiency” measured in money terms?But at Chinese wages, they could produce cars more cheaply ...

And indulges common-sense prejudices:

Europe is exploiting poor countries because it is more efficient... or ...China is competing unfairly: its wages and/or its currency are too low

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 9 / 29

Page 44: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage

Before Ricardo: Trade Theory 1.0

Trade Theory 1.0: Absolute Advantage (Adam Smith)

A big advance over mercantilism

A central determinant of absolute living standards and trade volumes

But, as a theory of trade patterns: clear, simple, and wrong!

The curse of common sense!Europe is more efficient at producing cars than China ...... so Europe should export cars to China. Right?But isn’t “efficiency” measured in real terms (e.g., labour productivity)?And Europe is also more efficient at producing textiles than China ...

... so Europe should also export textiles to China?But Chinese wages are much lower, so it produces textiles more cheaplyAhhhh! So it’s all about “efficiency” measured in money terms?But at Chinese wages, they could produce cars more cheaply ...

And indulges common-sense prejudices:

Europe is exploiting poor countries because it is more efficient... or ...China is competing unfairly: its wages and/or its currency are too low

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 9 / 29

Page 45: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage

Before Ricardo: Trade Theory 1.0

Trade Theory 1.0: Absolute Advantage (Adam Smith)

A big advance over mercantilism

A central determinant of absolute living standards and trade volumes

But, as a theory of trade patterns: clear, simple, and wrong!

The curse of common sense!Europe is more efficient at producing cars than China ...... so Europe should export cars to China. Right?But isn’t “efficiency” measured in real terms (e.g., labour productivity)?And Europe is also more efficient at producing textiles than China ...... so Europe should also export textiles to China?

But Chinese wages are much lower, so it produces textiles more cheaplyAhhhh! So it’s all about “efficiency” measured in money terms?But at Chinese wages, they could produce cars more cheaply ...

And indulges common-sense prejudices:

Europe is exploiting poor countries because it is more efficient... or ...China is competing unfairly: its wages and/or its currency are too low

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 9 / 29

Page 46: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage

Before Ricardo: Trade Theory 1.0

Trade Theory 1.0: Absolute Advantage (Adam Smith)

A big advance over mercantilism

A central determinant of absolute living standards and trade volumes

But, as a theory of trade patterns: clear, simple, and wrong!

The curse of common sense!Europe is more efficient at producing cars than China ...... so Europe should export cars to China. Right?But isn’t “efficiency” measured in real terms (e.g., labour productivity)?And Europe is also more efficient at producing textiles than China ...... so Europe should also export textiles to China?

But Chinese wages are much lower, so it produces textiles more cheaplyAhhhh! So it’s all about “efficiency” measured in money terms?But at Chinese wages, they could produce cars more cheaply ...

And indulges common-sense prejudices:

Europe is exploiting poor countries because it is more efficient... or ...China is competing unfairly: its wages and/or its currency are too low

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 9 / 29

Page 47: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage

Before Ricardo: Trade Theory 1.0

Trade Theory 1.0: Absolute Advantage (Adam Smith)

A big advance over mercantilism

A central determinant of absolute living standards and trade volumes

But, as a theory of trade patterns: clear, simple, and wrong!

The curse of common sense!Europe is more efficient at producing cars than China ...... so Europe should export cars to China. Right?But isn’t “efficiency” measured in real terms (e.g., labour productivity)?And Europe is also more efficient at producing textiles than China ...... so Europe should also export textiles to China?But Chinese wages are much lower, so it produces textiles more cheaply

Ahhhh! So it’s all about “efficiency” measured in money terms?But at Chinese wages, they could produce cars more cheaply ...

And indulges common-sense prejudices:

Europe is exploiting poor countries because it is more efficient... or ...China is competing unfairly: its wages and/or its currency are too low

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 9 / 29

Page 48: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage

Before Ricardo: Trade Theory 1.0

Trade Theory 1.0: Absolute Advantage (Adam Smith)

A big advance over mercantilism

A central determinant of absolute living standards and trade volumes

But, as a theory of trade patterns: clear, simple, and wrong!

The curse of common sense!Europe is more efficient at producing cars than China ...... so Europe should export cars to China. Right?But isn’t “efficiency” measured in real terms (e.g., labour productivity)?And Europe is also more efficient at producing textiles than China ...... so Europe should also export textiles to China?But Chinese wages are much lower, so it produces textiles more cheaply

Ahhhh! So it’s all about “efficiency” measured in money terms?But at Chinese wages, they could produce cars more cheaply ...

And indulges common-sense prejudices:

Europe is exploiting poor countries because it is more efficient... or ...China is competing unfairly: its wages and/or its currency are too low

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 9 / 29

Page 49: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage

Before Ricardo: Trade Theory 1.0

Trade Theory 1.0: Absolute Advantage (Adam Smith)

A big advance over mercantilism

A central determinant of absolute living standards and trade volumes

But, as a theory of trade patterns: clear, simple, and wrong!

The curse of common sense!Europe is more efficient at producing cars than China ...... so Europe should export cars to China. Right?But isn’t “efficiency” measured in real terms (e.g., labour productivity)?And Europe is also more efficient at producing textiles than China ...... so Europe should also export textiles to China?But Chinese wages are much lower, so it produces textiles more cheaplyAhhhh! So it’s all about “efficiency” measured in money terms?

But at Chinese wages, they could produce cars more cheaply ...

And indulges common-sense prejudices:

Europe is exploiting poor countries because it is more efficient... or ...China is competing unfairly: its wages and/or its currency are too low

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 9 / 29

Page 50: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage

Before Ricardo: Trade Theory 1.0

Trade Theory 1.0: Absolute Advantage (Adam Smith)

A big advance over mercantilism

A central determinant of absolute living standards and trade volumes

But, as a theory of trade patterns: clear, simple, and wrong!

The curse of common sense!Europe is more efficient at producing cars than China ...... so Europe should export cars to China. Right?But isn’t “efficiency” measured in real terms (e.g., labour productivity)?And Europe is also more efficient at producing textiles than China ...... so Europe should also export textiles to China?But Chinese wages are much lower, so it produces textiles more cheaplyAhhhh! So it’s all about “efficiency” measured in money terms?

But at Chinese wages, they could produce cars more cheaply ...

And indulges common-sense prejudices:

Europe is exploiting poor countries because it is more efficient... or ...China is competing unfairly: its wages and/or its currency are too low

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 9 / 29

Page 51: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage

Before Ricardo: Trade Theory 1.0

Trade Theory 1.0: Absolute Advantage (Adam Smith)

A big advance over mercantilism

A central determinant of absolute living standards and trade volumes

But, as a theory of trade patterns: clear, simple, and wrong!

The curse of common sense!Europe is more efficient at producing cars than China ...... so Europe should export cars to China. Right?But isn’t “efficiency” measured in real terms (e.g., labour productivity)?And Europe is also more efficient at producing textiles than China ...... so Europe should also export textiles to China?But Chinese wages are much lower, so it produces textiles more cheaplyAhhhh! So it’s all about “efficiency” measured in money terms?But at Chinese wages, they could produce cars more cheaply ...

And indulges common-sense prejudices:

Europe is exploiting poor countries because it is more efficient... or ...China is competing unfairly: its wages and/or its currency are too low

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 9 / 29

Page 52: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage

Before Ricardo: Trade Theory 1.0

Trade Theory 1.0: Absolute Advantage (Adam Smith)

A big advance over mercantilism

A central determinant of absolute living standards and trade volumes

But, as a theory of trade patterns: clear, simple, and wrong!

The curse of common sense!Europe is more efficient at producing cars than China ...... so Europe should export cars to China. Right?But isn’t “efficiency” measured in real terms (e.g., labour productivity)?And Europe is also more efficient at producing textiles than China ...... so Europe should also export textiles to China?But Chinese wages are much lower, so it produces textiles more cheaplyAhhhh! So it’s all about “efficiency” measured in money terms?But at Chinese wages, they could produce cars more cheaply ...

And indulges common-sense prejudices:

Europe is exploiting poor countries because it is more efficient... or ...China is competing unfairly: its wages and/or its currency are too low

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 9 / 29

Page 53: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage

Before Ricardo: Trade Theory 1.0

Trade Theory 1.0: Absolute Advantage (Adam Smith)

A big advance over mercantilism

A central determinant of absolute living standards and trade volumes

But, as a theory of trade patterns: clear, simple, and wrong!

The curse of common sense!Europe is more efficient at producing cars than China ...... so Europe should export cars to China. Right?But isn’t “efficiency” measured in real terms (e.g., labour productivity)?And Europe is also more efficient at producing textiles than China ...... so Europe should also export textiles to China?But Chinese wages are much lower, so it produces textiles more cheaplyAhhhh! So it’s all about “efficiency” measured in money terms?But at Chinese wages, they could produce cars more cheaply ...

And indulges common-sense prejudices:

Europe is exploiting poor countries because it is more efficient... or ...China is competing unfairly: its wages and/or its currency are too low

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 9 / 29

Page 54: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage

Before Ricardo: Trade Theory 1.0

Trade Theory 1.0: Absolute Advantage (Adam Smith)

A big advance over mercantilism

A central determinant of absolute living standards and trade volumes

But, as a theory of trade patterns: clear, simple, and wrong!

The curse of common sense!Europe is more efficient at producing cars than China ...... so Europe should export cars to China. Right?But isn’t “efficiency” measured in real terms (e.g., labour productivity)?And Europe is also more efficient at producing textiles than China ...... so Europe should also export textiles to China?But Chinese wages are much lower, so it produces textiles more cheaplyAhhhh! So it’s all about “efficiency” measured in money terms?But at Chinese wages, they could produce cars more cheaply ...

And indulges common-sense prejudices:

Europe is exploiting poor countries because it is more efficient... or ...China is competing unfairly: its wages and/or its currency are too low

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 9 / 29

Page 55: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage

Before Ricardo: Trade Theory 1.0

Trade Theory 1.0: Absolute Advantage (Adam Smith)

A big advance over mercantilism

A central determinant of absolute living standards and trade volumes

But, as a theory of trade patterns: clear, simple, and wrong!

The curse of common sense!Europe is more efficient at producing cars than China ...... so Europe should export cars to China. Right?But isn’t “efficiency” measured in real terms (e.g., labour productivity)?And Europe is also more efficient at producing textiles than China ...... so Europe should also export textiles to China?But Chinese wages are much lower, so it produces textiles more cheaplyAhhhh! So it’s all about “efficiency” measured in money terms?But at Chinese wages, they could produce cars more cheaply ...

And indulges common-sense prejudices:Europe is exploiting poor countries because it is more efficient

... or ...China is competing unfairly: its wages and/or its currency are too low

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 9 / 29

Page 56: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage

Before Ricardo: Trade Theory 1.0

Trade Theory 1.0: Absolute Advantage (Adam Smith)

A big advance over mercantilism

A central determinant of absolute living standards and trade volumes

But, as a theory of trade patterns: clear, simple, and wrong!

The curse of common sense!Europe is more efficient at producing cars than China ...... so Europe should export cars to China. Right?But isn’t “efficiency” measured in real terms (e.g., labour productivity)?And Europe is also more efficient at producing textiles than China ...... so Europe should also export textiles to China?But Chinese wages are much lower, so it produces textiles more cheaplyAhhhh! So it’s all about “efficiency” measured in money terms?But at Chinese wages, they could produce cars more cheaply ...

And indulges common-sense prejudices:Europe is exploiting poor countries because it is more efficient

... or ...China is competing unfairly: its wages and/or its currency are too low

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 9 / 29

Page 57: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage

Before Ricardo: Trade Theory 1.0

Trade Theory 1.0: Absolute Advantage (Adam Smith)

A big advance over mercantilism

A central determinant of absolute living standards and trade volumes

But, as a theory of trade patterns: clear, simple, and wrong!

The curse of common sense!Europe is more efficient at producing cars than China ...... so Europe should export cars to China. Right?But isn’t “efficiency” measured in real terms (e.g., labour productivity)?And Europe is also more efficient at producing textiles than China ...... so Europe should also export textiles to China?But Chinese wages are much lower, so it produces textiles more cheaplyAhhhh! So it’s all about “efficiency” measured in money terms?But at Chinese wages, they could produce cars more cheaply ...

And indulges common-sense prejudices:Europe is exploiting poor countries because it is more efficient... or ...

China is competing unfairly: its wages and/or its currency are too low

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 9 / 29

Page 58: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage

Before Ricardo: Trade Theory 1.0

Trade Theory 1.0: Absolute Advantage (Adam Smith)

A big advance over mercantilism

A central determinant of absolute living standards and trade volumes

But, as a theory of trade patterns: clear, simple, and wrong!

The curse of common sense!Europe is more efficient at producing cars than China ...... so Europe should export cars to China. Right?But isn’t “efficiency” measured in real terms (e.g., labour productivity)?And Europe is also more efficient at producing textiles than China ...... so Europe should also export textiles to China?But Chinese wages are much lower, so it produces textiles more cheaplyAhhhh! So it’s all about “efficiency” measured in money terms?But at Chinese wages, they could produce cars more cheaply ...

And indulges common-sense prejudices:Europe is exploiting poor countries because it is more efficient... or ...China is competing unfairly: its wages and/or its currency are too low

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 9 / 29

Page 59: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage

Trade Theory 2.0: Comparative Advantage

Ricardo’s Big Idea: Comparative Advantage

Counter-intuitive

Samuelson: “thousands of important and intelligent men [sic] ... havenever been able to grasp the doctrine for themselves or to believe itafter it was explained to them.”

Emphasises not just differences, but differences in differences:[Costinot (2009)]

Relative to China, Europe is relatively more efficient at producing carsthan textiles ...... so Europe will export cars, China textiles.Double difference gets rid of exchange rates, wages, etc.They matter, but not for composition of trade

Predicts trade patterns and aggregate gains from trade

Both countries gain: Trade not a zero-sum game

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 10 / 29

Page 60: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage

Trade Theory 2.0: Comparative Advantage

Ricardo’s Big Idea: Comparative Advantage

Counter-intuitive

Samuelson: “thousands of important and intelligent men [sic] ... havenever been able to grasp the doctrine for themselves or to believe itafter it was explained to them.”

Emphasises not just differences, but differences in differences:[Costinot (2009)]

Relative to China, Europe is relatively more efficient at producing carsthan textiles ...... so Europe will export cars, China textiles.Double difference gets rid of exchange rates, wages, etc.They matter, but not for composition of trade

Predicts trade patterns and aggregate gains from trade

Both countries gain: Trade not a zero-sum game

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 10 / 29

Page 61: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage

Trade Theory 2.0: Comparative Advantage

Ricardo’s Big Idea: Comparative Advantage

Counter-intuitive

Samuelson: “thousands of important and intelligent men [sic] ... havenever been able to grasp the doctrine for themselves or to believe itafter it was explained to them.”

Emphasises not just differences, but differences in differences:[Costinot (2009)]

Relative to China, Europe is relatively more efficient at producing carsthan textiles ...... so Europe will export cars, China textiles.Double difference gets rid of exchange rates, wages, etc.They matter, but not for composition of trade

Predicts trade patterns and aggregate gains from trade

Both countries gain: Trade not a zero-sum game

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 10 / 29

Page 62: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage

Trade Theory 2.0: Comparative Advantage

Ricardo’s Big Idea: Comparative Advantage

Counter-intuitive

Samuelson: “thousands of important and intelligent men [sic] ... havenever been able to grasp the doctrine for themselves or to believe itafter it was explained to them.”

Emphasises not just differences, but differences in differences:[Costinot (2009)]

Relative to China, Europe is relatively more efficient at producing carsthan textiles ...... so Europe will export cars, China textiles.Double difference gets rid of exchange rates, wages, etc.They matter, but not for composition of trade

Predicts trade patterns and aggregate gains from trade

Both countries gain: Trade not a zero-sum game

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 10 / 29

Page 63: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage

Trade Theory 2.0: Comparative Advantage

Ricardo’s Big Idea: Comparative Advantage

Counter-intuitive

Samuelson: “thousands of important and intelligent men [sic] ... havenever been able to grasp the doctrine for themselves or to believe itafter it was explained to them.”

Emphasises not just differences, but differences in differences:[Costinot (2009)]

Relative to China, Europe is relatively more efficient at producing carsthan textiles ...... so Europe will export cars, China textiles.Double difference gets rid of exchange rates, wages, etc.They matter, but not for composition of trade

Predicts trade patterns and aggregate gains from trade

Both countries gain: Trade not a zero-sum game

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 10 / 29

Page 64: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage

Trade Theory 2.0: Comparative Advantage

Ricardo’s Big Idea: Comparative Advantage

Counter-intuitive

Samuelson: “thousands of important and intelligent men [sic] ... havenever been able to grasp the doctrine for themselves or to believe itafter it was explained to them.”

Emphasises not just differences, but differences in differences:[Costinot (2009)]

Relative to China, Europe is relatively more efficient at producing carsthan textiles ...... so Europe will export cars, China textiles.Double difference gets rid of exchange rates, wages, etc.They matter, but not for composition of trade

Predicts trade patterns and aggregate gains from trade

Both countries gain: Trade not a zero-sum game

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 10 / 29

Page 65: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage

Trade Theory 2.0: Comparative Advantage

Ricardo’s Big Idea: Comparative Advantage

Counter-intuitive

Samuelson: “thousands of important and intelligent men [sic] ... havenever been able to grasp the doctrine for themselves or to believe itafter it was explained to them.”

Emphasises not just differences, but differences in differences:[Costinot (2009)]

Relative to China, Europe is relatively more efficient at producing carsthan textiles ...... so Europe will export cars, China textiles.Double difference gets rid of exchange rates, wages, etc.They matter, but not for composition of trade

Predicts trade patterns and aggregate gains from trade

Both countries gain: Trade not a zero-sum game

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 10 / 29

Page 66: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage

Trade Theory 2.0: Comparative Advantage

Ricardo’s Big Idea: Comparative Advantage

Counter-intuitive

Samuelson: “thousands of important and intelligent men [sic] ... havenever been able to grasp the doctrine for themselves or to believe itafter it was explained to them.”

Emphasises not just differences, but differences in differences:[Costinot (2009)]

Relative to China, Europe is relatively more efficient at producing carsthan textiles ...

... so Europe will export cars, China textiles.Double difference gets rid of exchange rates, wages, etc.They matter, but not for composition of trade

Predicts trade patterns and aggregate gains from trade

Both countries gain: Trade not a zero-sum game

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 10 / 29

Page 67: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage

Trade Theory 2.0: Comparative Advantage

Ricardo’s Big Idea: Comparative Advantage

Counter-intuitive

Samuelson: “thousands of important and intelligent men [sic] ... havenever been able to grasp the doctrine for themselves or to believe itafter it was explained to them.”

Emphasises not just differences, but differences in differences:[Costinot (2009)]

Relative to China, Europe is relatively more efficient at producing carsthan textiles ...

... so Europe will export cars, China textiles.Double difference gets rid of exchange rates, wages, etc.They matter, but not for composition of trade

Predicts trade patterns and aggregate gains from trade

Both countries gain: Trade not a zero-sum game

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 10 / 29

Page 68: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage

Trade Theory 2.0: Comparative Advantage

Ricardo’s Big Idea: Comparative Advantage

Counter-intuitive

Samuelson: “thousands of important and intelligent men [sic] ... havenever been able to grasp the doctrine for themselves or to believe itafter it was explained to them.”

Emphasises not just differences, but differences in differences:[Costinot (2009)]

Relative to China, Europe is relatively more efficient at producing carsthan textiles ...... so Europe will export cars, China textiles.

Double difference gets rid of exchange rates, wages, etc.They matter, but not for composition of trade

Predicts trade patterns and aggregate gains from trade

Both countries gain: Trade not a zero-sum game

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 10 / 29

Page 69: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage

Trade Theory 2.0: Comparative Advantage

Ricardo’s Big Idea: Comparative Advantage

Counter-intuitive

Samuelson: “thousands of important and intelligent men [sic] ... havenever been able to grasp the doctrine for themselves or to believe itafter it was explained to them.”

Emphasises not just differences, but differences in differences:[Costinot (2009)]

Relative to China, Europe is relatively more efficient at producing carsthan textiles ...... so Europe will export cars, China textiles.

Double difference gets rid of exchange rates, wages, etc.They matter, but not for composition of trade

Predicts trade patterns and aggregate gains from trade

Both countries gain: Trade not a zero-sum game

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 10 / 29

Page 70: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage

Trade Theory 2.0: Comparative Advantage

Ricardo’s Big Idea: Comparative Advantage

Counter-intuitive

Samuelson: “thousands of important and intelligent men [sic] ... havenever been able to grasp the doctrine for themselves or to believe itafter it was explained to them.”

Emphasises not just differences, but differences in differences:[Costinot (2009)]

Relative to China, Europe is relatively more efficient at producing carsthan textiles ...... so Europe will export cars, China textiles.Double difference gets rid of exchange rates, wages, etc.

They matter, but not for composition of trade

Predicts trade patterns and aggregate gains from trade

Both countries gain: Trade not a zero-sum game

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 10 / 29

Page 71: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage

Trade Theory 2.0: Comparative Advantage

Ricardo’s Big Idea: Comparative Advantage

Counter-intuitive

Samuelson: “thousands of important and intelligent men [sic] ... havenever been able to grasp the doctrine for themselves or to believe itafter it was explained to them.”

Emphasises not just differences, but differences in differences:[Costinot (2009)]

Relative to China, Europe is relatively more efficient at producing carsthan textiles ...... so Europe will export cars, China textiles.Double difference gets rid of exchange rates, wages, etc.

They matter, but not for composition of trade

Predicts trade patterns and aggregate gains from trade

Both countries gain: Trade not a zero-sum game

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 10 / 29

Page 72: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage

Trade Theory 2.0: Comparative Advantage

Ricardo’s Big Idea: Comparative Advantage

Counter-intuitive

Samuelson: “thousands of important and intelligent men [sic] ... havenever been able to grasp the doctrine for themselves or to believe itafter it was explained to them.”

Emphasises not just differences, but differences in differences:[Costinot (2009)]

Relative to China, Europe is relatively more efficient at producing carsthan textiles ...... so Europe will export cars, China textiles.Double difference gets rid of exchange rates, wages, etc.They matter, but not for composition of trade

Predicts trade patterns and aggregate gains from trade

Both countries gain: Trade not a zero-sum game

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 10 / 29

Page 73: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage

Trade Theory 2.0: Comparative Advantage

Ricardo’s Big Idea: Comparative Advantage

Counter-intuitive

Samuelson: “thousands of important and intelligent men [sic] ... havenever been able to grasp the doctrine for themselves or to believe itafter it was explained to them.”

Emphasises not just differences, but differences in differences:[Costinot (2009)]

Relative to China, Europe is relatively more efficient at producing carsthan textiles ...... so Europe will export cars, China textiles.Double difference gets rid of exchange rates, wages, etc.They matter, but not for composition of trade

Predicts trade patterns and aggregate gains from trade

Both countries gain: Trade not a zero-sum game

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 10 / 29

Page 74: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage

Trade Theory 2.0: Comparative Advantage

Ricardo’s Big Idea: Comparative Advantage

Counter-intuitive

Samuelson: “thousands of important and intelligent men [sic] ... havenever been able to grasp the doctrine for themselves or to believe itafter it was explained to them.”

Emphasises not just differences, but differences in differences:[Costinot (2009)]

Relative to China, Europe is relatively more efficient at producing carsthan textiles ...... so Europe will export cars, China textiles.Double difference gets rid of exchange rates, wages, etc.They matter, but not for composition of trade

Predicts trade patterns and aggregate gains from trade

Both countries gain: Trade not a zero-sum game

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 10 / 29

Page 75: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage

Trade Theory 2.0: Comparative Advantage

Ricardo’s Big Idea: Comparative Advantage

Counter-intuitive

Samuelson: “thousands of important and intelligent men [sic] ... havenever been able to grasp the doctrine for themselves or to believe itafter it was explained to them.”

Emphasises not just differences, but differences in differences:[Costinot (2009)]

Relative to China, Europe is relatively more efficient at producing carsthan textiles ...... so Europe will export cars, China textiles.Double difference gets rid of exchange rates, wages, etc.They matter, but not for composition of trade

Predicts trade patterns and aggregate gains from trade

Both countries gain: Trade not a zero-sum game

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 10 / 29

Page 76: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage

Comparative Advantage: The Scientific Legacy

Sets an agenda for theory and empirics

Broadly consistent with trade patterns between countries that differsignificantly

Though proper scientific confirmation took longer

Early empirical studies hampered by theory’s low dimensionality[MacDougall (1951)]

Theory needed to be generalized[Dornbusch, Fischer, and Samuelson (1977), Eaton and Kortum (2002)]

Which has allowed confirmation and quantification[Costinot, Donaldson, and Komunjer (2012)]

What about the legacy for policy?

Universal free trade?

Not really ... for reasons that Ricardo also made clear

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 11 / 29

Page 77: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage

Comparative Advantage: The Scientific Legacy

Sets an agenda for theory and empirics

Broadly consistent with trade patterns between countries that differsignificantly

Though proper scientific confirmation took longer

Early empirical studies hampered by theory’s low dimensionality[MacDougall (1951)]

Theory needed to be generalized[Dornbusch, Fischer, and Samuelson (1977), Eaton and Kortum (2002)]

Which has allowed confirmation and quantification[Costinot, Donaldson, and Komunjer (2012)]

What about the legacy for policy?

Universal free trade?

Not really ... for reasons that Ricardo also made clear

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 11 / 29

Page 78: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage

Comparative Advantage: The Scientific Legacy

Sets an agenda for theory and empirics

Broadly consistent with trade patterns between countries that differsignificantly

Though proper scientific confirmation took longer

Early empirical studies hampered by theory’s low dimensionality[MacDougall (1951)]

Theory needed to be generalized[Dornbusch, Fischer, and Samuelson (1977), Eaton and Kortum (2002)]

Which has allowed confirmation and quantification[Costinot, Donaldson, and Komunjer (2012)]

What about the legacy for policy?

Universal free trade?

Not really ... for reasons that Ricardo also made clear

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 11 / 29

Page 79: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage

Comparative Advantage: The Scientific Legacy

Sets an agenda for theory and empirics

Broadly consistent with trade patterns between countries that differsignificantly

Though proper scientific confirmation took longer

Early empirical studies hampered by theory’s low dimensionality[MacDougall (1951)]

Theory needed to be generalized[Dornbusch, Fischer, and Samuelson (1977), Eaton and Kortum (2002)]

Which has allowed confirmation and quantification[Costinot, Donaldson, and Komunjer (2012)]

What about the legacy for policy?

Universal free trade?

Not really ... for reasons that Ricardo also made clear

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 11 / 29

Page 80: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage

Comparative Advantage: The Scientific Legacy

Sets an agenda for theory and empirics

Broadly consistent with trade patterns between countries that differsignificantly

Though proper scientific confirmation took longer

Early empirical studies hampered by theory’s low dimensionality[MacDougall (1951)]

Theory needed to be generalized[Dornbusch, Fischer, and Samuelson (1977), Eaton and Kortum (2002)]

Which has allowed confirmation and quantification[Costinot, Donaldson, and Komunjer (2012)]

What about the legacy for policy?

Universal free trade?

Not really ... for reasons that Ricardo also made clear

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 11 / 29

Page 81: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage

Comparative Advantage: The Scientific Legacy

Sets an agenda for theory and empirics

Broadly consistent with trade patterns between countries that differsignificantly

Though proper scientific confirmation took longer

Early empirical studies hampered by theory’s low dimensionality[MacDougall (1951)]

Theory needed to be generalized[Dornbusch, Fischer, and Samuelson (1977), Eaton and Kortum (2002)]

Which has allowed confirmation and quantification[Costinot, Donaldson, and Komunjer (2012)]

What about the legacy for policy?

Universal free trade?

Not really ... for reasons that Ricardo also made clear

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 11 / 29

Page 82: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage

Comparative Advantage: The Scientific Legacy

Sets an agenda for theory and empirics

Broadly consistent with trade patterns between countries that differsignificantly

Though proper scientific confirmation took longer

Early empirical studies hampered by theory’s low dimensionality[MacDougall (1951)]

Theory needed to be generalized[Dornbusch, Fischer, and Samuelson (1977), Eaton and Kortum (2002)]

Which has allowed confirmation and quantification[Costinot, Donaldson, and Komunjer (2012)]

What about the legacy for policy?

Universal free trade?

Not really ... for reasons that Ricardo also made clear

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 11 / 29

Page 83: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage

Comparative Advantage: The Scientific Legacy

Sets an agenda for theory and empirics

Broadly consistent with trade patterns between countries that differsignificantly

Though proper scientific confirmation took longer

Early empirical studies hampered by theory’s low dimensionality[MacDougall (1951)]

Theory needed to be generalized[Dornbusch, Fischer, and Samuelson (1977), Eaton and Kortum (2002)]

Which has allowed confirmation and quantification[Costinot, Donaldson, and Komunjer (2012)]

What about the legacy for policy?

Universal free trade?

Not really ... for reasons that Ricardo also made clear

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 11 / 29

Page 84: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage

Comparative Advantage: The Scientific Legacy

Sets an agenda for theory and empirics

Broadly consistent with trade patterns between countries that differsignificantly

Though proper scientific confirmation took longer

Early empirical studies hampered by theory’s low dimensionality[MacDougall (1951)]

Theory needed to be generalized[Dornbusch, Fischer, and Samuelson (1977), Eaton and Kortum (2002)]

Which has allowed confirmation and quantification[Costinot, Donaldson, and Komunjer (2012)]

What about the legacy for policy?

Universal free trade?

Not really ... for reasons that Ricardo also made clear

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 11 / 29

Page 85: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage

Comparative Advantage: The Scientific Legacy

Sets an agenda for theory and empirics

Broadly consistent with trade patterns between countries that differsignificantly

Though proper scientific confirmation took longer

Early empirical studies hampered by theory’s low dimensionality[MacDougall (1951)]

Theory needed to be generalized[Dornbusch, Fischer, and Samuelson (1977), Eaton and Kortum (2002)]

Which has allowed confirmation and quantification[Costinot, Donaldson, and Komunjer (2012)]

What about the legacy for policy?

Universal free trade?

Not really ... for reasons that Ricardo also made clear

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 11 / 29

Page 86: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

Trade and Income Distribution

Outline

1 The Dawn of Economic Theory

2 David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage

3 Trade and Income Distribution

4 What Ricardo Didn’t Know

5 Policy Relevance

6 Conclusion

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 12 / 29

Page 87: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

Trade and Income Distribution

Trade and Income Distribution

Ricardo’s analysis of the Corn Laws

Eliminating corn tariffs would harm landowners, help labourers

Net gains, implying that losers could be compensated ...

... though they never are ...

Trade and Income Distribution 1.0

Highlights a central, “common-sensical”, mechanism

An early version of the specific-factors model[Findlay (1974)]

Later work integrated it with the theory of comparative advantage

“Stolper-Samuelson” effect: Trade liberalization by a skill-abundantcountry will harm unskilled workers

Very robust key idea: there is always at least one winner and one loser[Ethier (1974)]

Evidence of both for the U.S.[Autor, Dorn, and Hanson (2013), Feenstra and Sasahara (2017)]

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 13 / 29

Page 88: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

Trade and Income Distribution

Trade and Income Distribution

Ricardo’s analysis of the Corn Laws

Eliminating corn tariffs would harm landowners, help labourers

Net gains, implying that losers could be compensated ...

... though they never are ...

Trade and Income Distribution 1.0

Highlights a central, “common-sensical”, mechanism

An early version of the specific-factors model[Findlay (1974)]

Later work integrated it with the theory of comparative advantage

“Stolper-Samuelson” effect: Trade liberalization by a skill-abundantcountry will harm unskilled workers

Very robust key idea: there is always at least one winner and one loser[Ethier (1974)]

Evidence of both for the U.S.[Autor, Dorn, and Hanson (2013), Feenstra and Sasahara (2017)]

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 13 / 29

Page 89: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

Trade and Income Distribution

Trade and Income Distribution

Ricardo’s analysis of the Corn Laws

Eliminating corn tariffs would harm landowners, help labourers

Net gains, implying that losers could be compensated ...

... though they never are ...

Trade and Income Distribution 1.0

Highlights a central, “common-sensical”, mechanism

An early version of the specific-factors model[Findlay (1974)]

Later work integrated it with the theory of comparative advantage

“Stolper-Samuelson” effect: Trade liberalization by a skill-abundantcountry will harm unskilled workers

Very robust key idea: there is always at least one winner and one loser[Ethier (1974)]

Evidence of both for the U.S.[Autor, Dorn, and Hanson (2013), Feenstra and Sasahara (2017)]

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 13 / 29

Page 90: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

Trade and Income Distribution

Trade and Income Distribution

Ricardo’s analysis of the Corn Laws

Eliminating corn tariffs would harm landowners, help labourers

Net gains, implying that losers could be compensated ...... though they never are ...

Trade and Income Distribution 1.0

Highlights a central, “common-sensical”, mechanism

An early version of the specific-factors model[Findlay (1974)]

Later work integrated it with the theory of comparative advantage

“Stolper-Samuelson” effect: Trade liberalization by a skill-abundantcountry will harm unskilled workers

Very robust key idea: there is always at least one winner and one loser[Ethier (1974)]

Evidence of both for the U.S.[Autor, Dorn, and Hanson (2013), Feenstra and Sasahara (2017)]

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 13 / 29

Page 91: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

Trade and Income Distribution

Trade and Income Distribution

Ricardo’s analysis of the Corn Laws

Eliminating corn tariffs would harm landowners, help labourers

Net gains, implying that losers could be compensated ...... though they never are ...

Trade and Income Distribution 1.0

Highlights a central, “common-sensical”, mechanism

An early version of the specific-factors model[Findlay (1974)]

Later work integrated it with the theory of comparative advantage

“Stolper-Samuelson” effect: Trade liberalization by a skill-abundantcountry will harm unskilled workers

Very robust key idea: there is always at least one winner and one loser[Ethier (1974)]

Evidence of both for the U.S.[Autor, Dorn, and Hanson (2013), Feenstra and Sasahara (2017)]

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 13 / 29

Page 92: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

Trade and Income Distribution

Trade and Income Distribution

Ricardo’s analysis of the Corn Laws

Eliminating corn tariffs would harm landowners, help labourers

Net gains, implying that losers could be compensated ...... though they never are ...

Trade and Income Distribution 1.0

Highlights a central, “common-sensical”, mechanism

An early version of the specific-factors model[Findlay (1974)]

Later work integrated it with the theory of comparative advantage

“Stolper-Samuelson” effect: Trade liberalization by a skill-abundantcountry will harm unskilled workers

Very robust key idea: there is always at least one winner and one loser[Ethier (1974)]

Evidence of both for the U.S.[Autor, Dorn, and Hanson (2013), Feenstra and Sasahara (2017)]

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 13 / 29

Page 93: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

Trade and Income Distribution

Trade and Income Distribution

Ricardo’s analysis of the Corn Laws

Eliminating corn tariffs would harm landowners, help labourers

Net gains, implying that losers could be compensated ...... though they never are ...

Trade and Income Distribution 1.0

Highlights a central, “common-sensical”, mechanism

An early version of the specific-factors model[Findlay (1974)]

Later work integrated it with the theory of comparative advantage

“Stolper-Samuelson” effect: Trade liberalization by a skill-abundantcountry will harm unskilled workers

Very robust key idea: there is always at least one winner and one loser[Ethier (1974)]

Evidence of both for the U.S.[Autor, Dorn, and Hanson (2013), Feenstra and Sasahara (2017)]

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 13 / 29

Page 94: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

Trade and Income Distribution

Trade and Income Distribution

Ricardo’s analysis of the Corn Laws

Eliminating corn tariffs would harm landowners, help labourers

Net gains, implying that losers could be compensated ...... though they never are ...

Trade and Income Distribution 1.0

Highlights a central, “common-sensical”, mechanism

An early version of the specific-factors model[Findlay (1974)]

Later work integrated it with the theory of comparative advantage

“Stolper-Samuelson” effect: Trade liberalization by a skill-abundantcountry will harm unskilled workers

Very robust key idea: there is always at least one winner and one loser[Ethier (1974)]

Evidence of both for the U.S.[Autor, Dorn, and Hanson (2013), Feenstra and Sasahara (2017)]

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 13 / 29

Page 95: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

Trade and Income Distribution

Trade and Income Distribution

Ricardo’s analysis of the Corn Laws

Eliminating corn tariffs would harm landowners, help labourers

Net gains, implying that losers could be compensated ...... though they never are ...

Trade and Income Distribution 1.0

Highlights a central, “common-sensical”, mechanism

An early version of the specific-factors model[Findlay (1974)]

Later work integrated it with the theory of comparative advantage

“Stolper-Samuelson” effect: Trade liberalization by a skill-abundantcountry will harm unskilled workers

Very robust key idea: there is always at least one winner and one loser[Ethier (1974)]

Evidence of both for the U.S.[Autor, Dorn, and Hanson (2013), Feenstra and Sasahara (2017)]

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 13 / 29

Page 96: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

Trade and Income Distribution

Trade and Income Distribution

Ricardo’s analysis of the Corn Laws

Eliminating corn tariffs would harm landowners, help labourers

Net gains, implying that losers could be compensated ...... though they never are ...

Trade and Income Distribution 1.0

Highlights a central, “common-sensical”, mechanism

An early version of the specific-factors model[Findlay (1974)]

Later work integrated it with the theory of comparative advantage

“Stolper-Samuelson” effect: Trade liberalization by a skill-abundantcountry will harm unskilled workers

Very robust key idea: there is always at least one winner and one loser[Ethier (1974)]

Evidence of both for the U.S.[Autor, Dorn, and Hanson (2013), Feenstra and Sasahara (2017)]

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 13 / 29

Page 97: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

Trade and Income Distribution

Trade and Income Distribution

Ricardo’s analysis of the Corn Laws

Eliminating corn tariffs would harm landowners, help labourers

Net gains, implying that losers could be compensated ...... though they never are ...

Trade and Income Distribution 1.0

Highlights a central, “common-sensical”, mechanism

An early version of the specific-factors model[Findlay (1974)]

Later work integrated it with the theory of comparative advantage

“Stolper-Samuelson” effect: Trade liberalization by a skill-abundantcountry will harm unskilled workers

Very robust key idea: there is always at least one winner and one loser[Ethier (1974)]

Evidence of both for the U.S.[Autor, Dorn, and Hanson (2013), Feenstra and Sasahara (2017)]

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 13 / 29

Page 98: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

What Ricardo Didn’t Know

Outline

1 The Dawn of Economic Theory

2 David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage

3 Trade and Income Distribution

4 What Ricardo Didn’t Know

5 Policy Relevance

6 Conclusion

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 14 / 29

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What Ricardo Didn’t Know

Of Course, We Have Learnt a Lot Since Ricardo

1 Gravity

2 Intra-Industry Trade

3 Trade in Intermediate Goods

4 Firms in Trade

5 Big Data, Quantification, etc.

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 15 / 29

Page 100: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

What Ricardo Didn’t Know

Of Course, We Have Learnt a Lot Since Ricardo

1 Gravity

2 Intra-Industry Trade

3 Trade in Intermediate Goods

4 Firms in Trade

5 Big Data, Quantification, etc.

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 15 / 29

Page 101: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

What Ricardo Didn’t Know

Gravity or Anti-Gravity?

Mr. Gravity Mr. Anti-Gravity

Mr. Gravity [Jim Anderson]: Vjk =(

τjkΠjPk

)1−σIjIk

IW

Mr. Anti-Gravity [Liam Fox, UK Minister for International Trade]:

“Today, we stand on the verge of an unprecedented ability to liberate global tradefor the benefit of our whole planet with technological advances dissolving away thebarriers of time and distance. It is potentially the beginning of what I might call‘post geography trading world’ where we are much less restricted in having to findpartners who are physically close to us.”

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 16 / 29

Page 102: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

What Ricardo Didn’t Know

Gravity or Anti-Gravity?

Mr. Gravity

Mr. Anti-Gravity

Mr. Gravity [Jim Anderson]: Vjk =(

τjkΠjPk

)1−σIjIk

IW

Mr. Anti-Gravity [Liam Fox, UK Minister for International Trade]:

“Today, we stand on the verge of an unprecedented ability to liberate global tradefor the benefit of our whole planet with technological advances dissolving away thebarriers of time and distance. It is potentially the beginning of what I might call‘post geography trading world’ where we are much less restricted in having to findpartners who are physically close to us.”

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 16 / 29

Page 103: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

What Ricardo Didn’t Know

Gravity or Anti-Gravity?

Mr. Gravity Mr. Anti-Gravity

Mr. Gravity [Jim Anderson]: Vjk =(

τjkΠjPk

)1−σIjIk

IW

Mr. Anti-Gravity [Liam Fox, UK Minister for International Trade]:

“Today, we stand on the verge of an unprecedented ability to liberate global tradefor the benefit of our whole planet with technological advances dissolving away thebarriers of time and distance. It is potentially the beginning of what I might call‘post geography trading world’ where we are much less restricted in having to findpartners who are physically close to us.”

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 16 / 29

Page 104: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

What Ricardo Didn’t Know

Gravity or Anti-Gravity?

Mr. Gravity Mr. Anti-Gravity

Mr. Gravity [Jim Anderson]: Vjk =(

τjkΠjPk

)1−σIjIk

IW

Mr. Anti-Gravity [Liam Fox, UK Minister for International Trade]:

“Today, we stand on the verge of an unprecedented ability to liberate global tradefor the benefit of our whole planet with technological advances dissolving away thebarriers of time and distance. It is potentially the beginning of what I might call‘post geography trading world’ where we are much less restricted in having to findpartners who are physically close to us.”

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 16 / 29

Page 105: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

What Ricardo Didn’t Know

Gravity or Anti-Gravity?

Mr. Gravity Mr. Anti-Gravity

Mr. Gravity [Jim Anderson]: Vjk =(

τjkΠjPk

)1−σIjIk

IW

Mr. Anti-Gravity [Liam Fox, UK Minister for International Trade]:

“Today, we stand on the verge of an unprecedented ability to liberate global tradefor the benefit of our whole planet with technological advances dissolving away thebarriers of time and distance. It is potentially the beginning of what I might call‘post geography trading world’ where we are much less restricted in having to findpartners who are physically close to us.”

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 16 / 29

Page 106: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

What Ricardo Didn’t Know

Gravity or Anti-Gravity?

Mr. Gravity Mr. Anti-Gravity

Mr. Gravity [Jim Anderson]: Vjk =(

τjkΠjPk

)1−σIjIk

IW

Mr. Anti-Gravity [Liam Fox, UK Minister for International Trade]:

“Today, we stand on the verge of an unprecedented ability to liberate global tradefor the benefit of our whole planet with technological advances dissolving away thebarriers of time and distance. It is potentially the beginning of what I might call‘post geography trading world’ where we are much less restricted in having to findpartners who are physically close to us.”

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 16 / 29

Page 107: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

What Ricardo Didn’t Know

Anti-Gravity: Not Stupid ...

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 17 / 29

Page 108: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

What Ricardo Didn’t Know

Anti-Gravity: Not Stupid ... Just Wrong

Has the World Become Flat?

No: Overwhelming evidence that trade declines with distance

Average preferred estimate: −1.1[Head and Mayer (2014): review of 159 papers; S.D. 0.41; median −1.14]

No evidence that the effect is declining

Despite the internet, etc.: How come?Conjecture that this reduces the effect of distance uniformly

Distance even matters (though less so) for:

FDI: Keller and Yeaple (2013)Equities: Portes and Rey (2005)eBay: Lendle, Olarreaga, Schropp, and Vezina (2016)Google: Cowgill and Dorobantu (2012)

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 18 / 29

Page 109: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

What Ricardo Didn’t Know

Anti-Gravity: Not Stupid ... Just Wrong

Has the World Become Flat?No: Overwhelming evidence that trade declines with distance

Average preferred estimate: −1.1[Head and Mayer (2014): review of 159 papers; S.D. 0.41; median −1.14]

No evidence that the effect is declining

Despite the internet, etc.: How come?Conjecture that this reduces the effect of distance uniformly

Distance even matters (though less so) for:

FDI: Keller and Yeaple (2013)Equities: Portes and Rey (2005)eBay: Lendle, Olarreaga, Schropp, and Vezina (2016)Google: Cowgill and Dorobantu (2012)

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 18 / 29

Page 110: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

What Ricardo Didn’t Know

Anti-Gravity: Not Stupid ... Just Wrong

Has the World Become Flat?No: Overwhelming evidence that trade declines with distance

Average preferred estimate: −1.1[Head and Mayer (2014): review of 159 papers; S.D. 0.41; median −1.14]

No evidence that the effect is declining

Despite the internet, etc.: How come?Conjecture that this reduces the effect of distance uniformly

Distance even matters (though less so) for:

FDI: Keller and Yeaple (2013)Equities: Portes and Rey (2005)eBay: Lendle, Olarreaga, Schropp, and Vezina (2016)Google: Cowgill and Dorobantu (2012)

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 18 / 29

Page 111: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

What Ricardo Didn’t Know

Anti-Gravity: Not Stupid ... Just Wrong

Has the World Become Flat?No: Overwhelming evidence that trade declines with distance

Average preferred estimate: −1.1[Head and Mayer (2014): review of 159 papers; S.D. 0.41; median −1.14]

No evidence that the effect is declining

Despite the internet, etc.: How come?Conjecture that this reduces the effect of distance uniformly

Distance even matters (though less so) for:

FDI: Keller and Yeaple (2013)Equities: Portes and Rey (2005)eBay: Lendle, Olarreaga, Schropp, and Vezina (2016)Google: Cowgill and Dorobantu (2012)

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 18 / 29

Page 112: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

What Ricardo Didn’t Know

Anti-Gravity: Not Stupid ... Just Wrong

Has the World Become Flat?No: Overwhelming evidence that trade declines with distance

Average preferred estimate: −1.1[Head and Mayer (2014): review of 159 papers; S.D. 0.41; median −1.14]

No evidence that the effect is declining

Despite the internet, etc.: How come?

Conjecture that this reduces the effect of distance uniformly

Distance even matters (though less so) for:

FDI: Keller and Yeaple (2013)Equities: Portes and Rey (2005)eBay: Lendle, Olarreaga, Schropp, and Vezina (2016)Google: Cowgill and Dorobantu (2012)

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 18 / 29

Page 113: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

What Ricardo Didn’t Know

Anti-Gravity: Not Stupid ... Just Wrong

Has the World Become Flat?No: Overwhelming evidence that trade declines with distance

Average preferred estimate: −1.1[Head and Mayer (2014): review of 159 papers; S.D. 0.41; median −1.14]

No evidence that the effect is declining

Despite the internet, etc.: How come?Conjecture that this reduces the effect of distance uniformly

Distance even matters (though less so) for:

FDI: Keller and Yeaple (2013)Equities: Portes and Rey (2005)eBay: Lendle, Olarreaga, Schropp, and Vezina (2016)Google: Cowgill and Dorobantu (2012)

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 18 / 29

Page 114: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

What Ricardo Didn’t Know

Anti-Gravity: Not Stupid ... Just Wrong

Has the World Become Flat?No: Overwhelming evidence that trade declines with distance

Average preferred estimate: −1.1[Head and Mayer (2014): review of 159 papers; S.D. 0.41; median −1.14]

No evidence that the effect is declining

Despite the internet, etc.: How come?Conjecture that this reduces the effect of distance uniformly

Distance even matters (though less so) for:

FDI: Keller and Yeaple (2013)Equities: Portes and Rey (2005)eBay: Lendle, Olarreaga, Schropp, and Vezina (2016)Google: Cowgill and Dorobantu (2012)

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 18 / 29

Page 115: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

What Ricardo Didn’t Know

Anti-Gravity: Not Stupid ... Just Wrong

Has the World Become Flat?No: Overwhelming evidence that trade declines with distance

Average preferred estimate: −1.1[Head and Mayer (2014): review of 159 papers; S.D. 0.41; median −1.14]

No evidence that the effect is declining

Despite the internet, etc.: How come?Conjecture that this reduces the effect of distance uniformly

Distance even matters (though less so) for:

FDI: Keller and Yeaple (2013)

Equities: Portes and Rey (2005)eBay: Lendle, Olarreaga, Schropp, and Vezina (2016)Google: Cowgill and Dorobantu (2012)

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 18 / 29

Page 116: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

What Ricardo Didn’t Know

Anti-Gravity: Not Stupid ... Just Wrong

Has the World Become Flat?No: Overwhelming evidence that trade declines with distance

Average preferred estimate: −1.1[Head and Mayer (2014): review of 159 papers; S.D. 0.41; median −1.14]

No evidence that the effect is declining

Despite the internet, etc.: How come?Conjecture that this reduces the effect of distance uniformly

Distance even matters (though less so) for:

FDI: Keller and Yeaple (2013)Equities: Portes and Rey (2005)

eBay: Lendle, Olarreaga, Schropp, and Vezina (2016)Google: Cowgill and Dorobantu (2012)

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 18 / 29

Page 117: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

What Ricardo Didn’t Know

Anti-Gravity: Not Stupid ... Just Wrong

Has the World Become Flat?No: Overwhelming evidence that trade declines with distance

Average preferred estimate: −1.1[Head and Mayer (2014): review of 159 papers; S.D. 0.41; median −1.14]

No evidence that the effect is declining

Despite the internet, etc.: How come?Conjecture that this reduces the effect of distance uniformly

Distance even matters (though less so) for:

FDI: Keller and Yeaple (2013)Equities: Portes and Rey (2005)eBay: Lendle, Olarreaga, Schropp, and Vezina (2016)

Google: Cowgill and Dorobantu (2012)

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 18 / 29

Page 118: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

What Ricardo Didn’t Know

Anti-Gravity: Not Stupid ... Just Wrong

Has the World Become Flat?No: Overwhelming evidence that trade declines with distance

Average preferred estimate: −1.1[Head and Mayer (2014): review of 159 papers; S.D. 0.41; median −1.14]

No evidence that the effect is declining

Despite the internet, etc.: How come?Conjecture that this reduces the effect of distance uniformly

Distance even matters (though less so) for:

FDI: Keller and Yeaple (2013)Equities: Portes and Rey (2005)eBay: Lendle, Olarreaga, Schropp, and Vezina (2016)Google: Cowgill and Dorobantu (2012)

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 18 / 29

Page 119: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

What Ricardo Didn’t Know

Other Things We Have Learnt

2 Intra-Industry Trade

Driven by product differentiation and increasing returns

Dominates trade between similar economies

Implies gains from increased variety

Lower costs of adjustment than inter-industry trade [Krugman (1981)]

3 Trade in Intermediate Goods

“The division of labour limited by the extent of the market”

Global and mega-regional value chains

4 Firms in Trade

Heterogeneous: Minnows and superstars

Intra-firm margins of adjustment: Multi-product, multi-destination

Globalization typically implies a ”Matthew Effect”[Mrazova and Neary (2017)]

Strategic behaviour: Superstar firms are different

5 Big Data, Quantification, etc.

The scientific study of international trade

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 19 / 29

Page 120: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

What Ricardo Didn’t Know

Other Things We Have Learnt

2 Intra-Industry Trade

Driven by product differentiation and increasing returns

Dominates trade between similar economies

Implies gains from increased variety

Lower costs of adjustment than inter-industry trade [Krugman (1981)]

3 Trade in Intermediate Goods

“The division of labour limited by the extent of the market”

Global and mega-regional value chains

4 Firms in Trade

Heterogeneous: Minnows and superstars

Intra-firm margins of adjustment: Multi-product, multi-destination

Globalization typically implies a ”Matthew Effect”[Mrazova and Neary (2017)]

Strategic behaviour: Superstar firms are different

5 Big Data, Quantification, etc.

The scientific study of international trade

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 19 / 29

Page 121: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

What Ricardo Didn’t Know

Other Things We Have Learnt

2 Intra-Industry Trade

Driven by product differentiation and increasing returns

Dominates trade between similar economies

Implies gains from increased variety

Lower costs of adjustment than inter-industry trade [Krugman (1981)]

3 Trade in Intermediate Goods

“The division of labour limited by the extent of the market”

Global and mega-regional value chains

4 Firms in Trade

Heterogeneous: Minnows and superstars

Intra-firm margins of adjustment: Multi-product, multi-destination

Globalization typically implies a ”Matthew Effect”[Mrazova and Neary (2017)]

Strategic behaviour: Superstar firms are different

5 Big Data, Quantification, etc.

The scientific study of international trade

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 19 / 29

Page 122: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

What Ricardo Didn’t Know

Other Things We Have Learnt

2 Intra-Industry Trade

Driven by product differentiation and increasing returns

Dominates trade between similar economies

Implies gains from increased variety

Lower costs of adjustment than inter-industry trade [Krugman (1981)]

3 Trade in Intermediate Goods

“The division of labour limited by the extent of the market”

Global and mega-regional value chains

4 Firms in Trade

Heterogeneous: Minnows and superstars

Intra-firm margins of adjustment: Multi-product, multi-destination

Globalization typically implies a ”Matthew Effect”[Mrazova and Neary (2017)]

Strategic behaviour: Superstar firms are different

5 Big Data, Quantification, etc.

The scientific study of international trade

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 19 / 29

Page 123: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

What Ricardo Didn’t Know

Other Things We Have Learnt

2 Intra-Industry Trade

Driven by product differentiation and increasing returns

Dominates trade between similar economies

Implies gains from increased variety

Lower costs of adjustment than inter-industry trade [Krugman (1981)]

3 Trade in Intermediate Goods

“The division of labour limited by the extent of the market”

Global and mega-regional value chains

4 Firms in Trade

Heterogeneous: Minnows and superstars

Intra-firm margins of adjustment: Multi-product, multi-destination

Globalization typically implies a ”Matthew Effect”[Mrazova and Neary (2017)]

Strategic behaviour: Superstar firms are different

5 Big Data, Quantification, etc.

The scientific study of international trade

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 19 / 29

Page 124: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

What Ricardo Didn’t Know

Other Things We Have Learnt

2 Intra-Industry Trade

Driven by product differentiation and increasing returns

Dominates trade between similar economies

Implies gains from increased variety

Lower costs of adjustment than inter-industry trade [Krugman (1981)]

3 Trade in Intermediate Goods

“The division of labour limited by the extent of the market”

Global and mega-regional value chains4 Firms in Trade

Heterogeneous: Minnows and superstars

Intra-firm margins of adjustment: Multi-product, multi-destination

Globalization typically implies a ”Matthew Effect”[Mrazova and Neary (2017)]

Strategic behaviour: Superstar firms are different

5 Big Data, Quantification, etc.

The scientific study of international trade

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 19 / 29

Page 125: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

What Ricardo Didn’t Know

Other Things We Have Learnt

2 Intra-Industry Trade

Driven by product differentiation and increasing returns

Dominates trade between similar economies

Implies gains from increased variety

Lower costs of adjustment than inter-industry trade [Krugman (1981)]

3 Trade in Intermediate Goods

“The division of labour limited by the extent of the market”

Global and mega-regional value chains

4 Firms in Trade

Heterogeneous: Minnows and superstars

Intra-firm margins of adjustment: Multi-product, multi-destination

Globalization typically implies a ”Matthew Effect”[Mrazova and Neary (2017)]

Strategic behaviour: Superstar firms are different

5 Big Data, Quantification, etc.

The scientific study of international trade

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 19 / 29

Page 126: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

What Ricardo Didn’t Know

Other Things We Have Learnt

2 Intra-Industry Trade

Driven by product differentiation and increasing returns

Dominates trade between similar economies

Implies gains from increased variety

Lower costs of adjustment than inter-industry trade [Krugman (1981)]

3 Trade in Intermediate Goods

“The division of labour limited by the extent of the market”

Global and mega-regional value chains

4 Firms in Trade

Heterogeneous: Minnows and superstars

Intra-firm margins of adjustment: Multi-product, multi-destination

Globalization typically implies a ”Matthew Effect”[Mrazova and Neary (2017)]

Strategic behaviour: Superstar firms are different

5 Big Data, Quantification, etc.

The scientific study of international trade

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 19 / 29

Page 127: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

What Ricardo Didn’t Know

Other Things We Have Learnt

2 Intra-Industry Trade

Driven by product differentiation and increasing returns

Dominates trade between similar economies

Implies gains from increased variety

Lower costs of adjustment than inter-industry trade [Krugman (1981)]

3 Trade in Intermediate Goods

“The division of labour limited by the extent of the market”

Global and mega-regional value chains4 Firms in Trade

Heterogeneous: Minnows and superstars

Intra-firm margins of adjustment: Multi-product, multi-destination

Globalization typically implies a ”Matthew Effect”[Mrazova and Neary (2017)]

Strategic behaviour: Superstar firms are different5 Big Data, Quantification, etc.

The scientific study of international trade

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 19 / 29

Page 128: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

What Ricardo Didn’t Know

Other Things We Have Learnt

2 Intra-Industry Trade

Driven by product differentiation and increasing returns

Dominates trade between similar economies

Implies gains from increased variety

Lower costs of adjustment than inter-industry trade [Krugman (1981)]

3 Trade in Intermediate Goods

“The division of labour limited by the extent of the market”

Global and mega-regional value chains4 Firms in Trade

Heterogeneous: Minnows and superstars

Intra-firm margins of adjustment: Multi-product, multi-destination

Globalization typically implies a ”Matthew Effect”[Mrazova and Neary (2017)]

Strategic behaviour: Superstar firms are different5 Big Data, Quantification, etc.

The scientific study of international trade

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 19 / 29

Page 129: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

What Ricardo Didn’t Know

Other Things We Have Learnt

2 Intra-Industry Trade

Driven by product differentiation and increasing returns

Dominates trade between similar economies

Implies gains from increased variety

Lower costs of adjustment than inter-industry trade [Krugman (1981)]

3 Trade in Intermediate Goods

“The division of labour limited by the extent of the market”

Global and mega-regional value chains4 Firms in Trade

Heterogeneous: Minnows and superstars

Intra-firm margins of adjustment: Multi-product, multi-destination

Globalization typically implies a ”Matthew Effect”[Mrazova and Neary (2017)]

Strategic behaviour: Superstar firms are different5 Big Data, Quantification, etc.

The scientific study of international trade

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 19 / 29

Page 130: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

What Ricardo Didn’t Know

Other Things We Have Learnt

2 Intra-Industry Trade

Driven by product differentiation and increasing returns

Dominates trade between similar economies

Implies gains from increased variety

Lower costs of adjustment than inter-industry trade [Krugman (1981)]

3 Trade in Intermediate Goods

“The division of labour limited by the extent of the market”

Global and mega-regional value chains4 Firms in Trade

Heterogeneous: Minnows and superstars

Intra-firm margins of adjustment: Multi-product, multi-destination

Globalization typically implies a ”Matthew Effect”[Mrazova and Neary (2017)]

Strategic behaviour: Superstar firms are different

5 Big Data, Quantification, etc.

The scientific study of international trade

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 19 / 29

Page 131: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

What Ricardo Didn’t Know

Other Things We Have Learnt

2 Intra-Industry Trade

Driven by product differentiation and increasing returns

Dominates trade between similar economies

Implies gains from increased variety

Lower costs of adjustment than inter-industry trade [Krugman (1981)]

3 Trade in Intermediate Goods

“The division of labour limited by the extent of the market”

Global and mega-regional value chains4 Firms in Trade

Heterogeneous: Minnows and superstars

Intra-firm margins of adjustment: Multi-product, multi-destination

Globalization typically implies a ”Matthew Effect”[Mrazova and Neary (2017)]

Strategic behaviour: Superstar firms are different

5 Big Data, Quantification, etc.

The scientific study of international trade

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 19 / 29

Page 132: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

What Ricardo Didn’t Know

Other Things We Have Learnt

2 Intra-Industry Trade

Driven by product differentiation and increasing returns

Dominates trade between similar economies

Implies gains from increased variety

Lower costs of adjustment than inter-industry trade [Krugman (1981)]

3 Trade in Intermediate Goods

“The division of labour limited by the extent of the market”

Global and mega-regional value chains4 Firms in Trade

Heterogeneous: Minnows and superstars

Intra-firm margins of adjustment: Multi-product, multi-destination

Globalization typically implies a ”Matthew Effect”[Mrazova and Neary (2017)]

Strategic behaviour: Superstar firms are different5 Big Data, Quantification, etc.

The scientific study of international tradeJ.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 19 / 29

Page 133: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

Policy Relevance

Outline

1 The Dawn of Economic Theory

2 David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage

3 Trade and Income Distribution

4 What Ricardo Didn’t Know

5 Policy Relevance

6 Conclusion

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 20 / 29

Page 134: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

Policy Relevance

What are These People Doing?

A Special Relationship Shared Values

Discussing Trade Agreements of course!

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 21 / 29

Page 135: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

Policy Relevance

What are These People Doing?

A Special Relationship

Shared Values

Discussing Trade Agreements of course!

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 21 / 29

Page 136: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

Policy Relevance

What are These People Doing?

A Special Relationship Shared Values

Discussing Trade Agreements of course!

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 21 / 29

Page 137: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

Policy Relevance

What are These People Doing?

A Special Relationship Shared Values

Discussing Trade Agreements of course!

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 21 / 29

Page 138: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

Policy Relevance

Brexit: Science versus Politics, Ideology, Outrage

Trade agreements are fundamentally political/non-economic

This is a deeper kind of “political” from trade models:

Trade agreements as a way to internalise terms-of-trade externality[Bagwell and Staiger (1999)]

Trade agreements as a commitment device to restrict producer interests[Maggi and Rodrıguez-Clare (1998), Maggi, Mrazova, and Neary (2017)]

Like any international treaty, they imply some loss of sovereignty

As economists we have no right to condemn non-economic views

Brexit is more about identity, history, belonging, than economicsSurveys suggest that many (not all) Brexit voters are willing to pay

As citizens, we have every right, but ...

We should not claim too much

Project Fear? Brexit will be less Dunkirk, more Winter of Discontent

We should not abuse our position

We should declare our interests

Speaking as a citizen ...... of Ireland, Europe, and the World

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 22 / 29

Page 139: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

Policy Relevance

Brexit: Science versus Politics, Ideology, Outrage

Trade agreements are fundamentally political/non-economic

This is a deeper kind of “political” from trade models:

Trade agreements as a way to internalise terms-of-trade externality[Bagwell and Staiger (1999)]

Trade agreements as a commitment device to restrict producer interests[Maggi and Rodrıguez-Clare (1998), Maggi, Mrazova, and Neary (2017)]

Like any international treaty, they imply some loss of sovereignty

As economists we have no right to condemn non-economic views

Brexit is more about identity, history, belonging, than economicsSurveys suggest that many (not all) Brexit voters are willing to pay

As citizens, we have every right, but ...

We should not claim too much

Project Fear? Brexit will be less Dunkirk, more Winter of Discontent

We should not abuse our position

We should declare our interests

Speaking as a citizen ...... of Ireland, Europe, and the World

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 22 / 29

Page 140: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

Policy Relevance

Brexit: Science versus Politics, Ideology, Outrage

Trade agreements are fundamentally political/non-economicThis is a deeper kind of “political” from trade models:

Trade agreements as a way to internalise terms-of-trade externality[Bagwell and Staiger (1999)]

Trade agreements as a commitment device to restrict producer interests[Maggi and Rodrıguez-Clare (1998), Maggi, Mrazova, and Neary (2017)]

Like any international treaty, they imply some loss of sovereignty

As economists we have no right to condemn non-economic views

Brexit is more about identity, history, belonging, than economicsSurveys suggest that many (not all) Brexit voters are willing to pay

As citizens, we have every right, but ...

We should not claim too much

Project Fear? Brexit will be less Dunkirk, more Winter of Discontent

We should not abuse our position

We should declare our interests

Speaking as a citizen ...... of Ireland, Europe, and the World

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 22 / 29

Page 141: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

Policy Relevance

Brexit: Science versus Politics, Ideology, Outrage

Trade agreements are fundamentally political/non-economicThis is a deeper kind of “political” from trade models:

Trade agreements as a way to internalise terms-of-trade externality[Bagwell and Staiger (1999)]

Trade agreements as a commitment device to restrict producer interests[Maggi and Rodrıguez-Clare (1998), Maggi, Mrazova, and Neary (2017)]

Like any international treaty, they imply some loss of sovereignty

As economists we have no right to condemn non-economic views

Brexit is more about identity, history, belonging, than economicsSurveys suggest that many (not all) Brexit voters are willing to pay

As citizens, we have every right, but ...

We should not claim too much

Project Fear? Brexit will be less Dunkirk, more Winter of Discontent

We should not abuse our position

We should declare our interests

Speaking as a citizen ...... of Ireland, Europe, and the World

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 22 / 29

Page 142: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

Policy Relevance

Brexit: Science versus Politics, Ideology, Outrage

Trade agreements are fundamentally political/non-economicThis is a deeper kind of “political” from trade models:

Trade agreements as a way to internalise terms-of-trade externality[Bagwell and Staiger (1999)]

Trade agreements as a commitment device to restrict producer interests[Maggi and Rodrıguez-Clare (1998), Maggi, Mrazova, and Neary (2017)]

Like any international treaty, they imply some loss of sovereignty

As economists we have no right to condemn non-economic views

Brexit is more about identity, history, belonging, than economicsSurveys suggest that many (not all) Brexit voters are willing to pay

As citizens, we have every right, but ...

We should not claim too much

Project Fear? Brexit will be less Dunkirk, more Winter of Discontent

We should not abuse our position

We should declare our interests

Speaking as a citizen ...... of Ireland, Europe, and the World

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 22 / 29

Page 143: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

Policy Relevance

Brexit: Science versus Politics, Ideology, Outrage

Trade agreements are fundamentally political/non-economicThis is a deeper kind of “political” from trade models:

Trade agreements as a way to internalise terms-of-trade externality[Bagwell and Staiger (1999)]

Trade agreements as a commitment device to restrict producer interests[Maggi and Rodrıguez-Clare (1998), Maggi, Mrazova, and Neary (2017)]

Like any international treaty, they imply some loss of sovereignty

As economists we have no right to condemn non-economic views

Brexit is more about identity, history, belonging, than economicsSurveys suggest that many (not all) Brexit voters are willing to pay

As citizens, we have every right, but ...

We should not claim too much

Project Fear? Brexit will be less Dunkirk, more Winter of Discontent

We should not abuse our position

We should declare our interests

Speaking as a citizen ...... of Ireland, Europe, and the World

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 22 / 29

Page 144: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

Policy Relevance

Brexit: Science versus Politics, Ideology, Outrage

Trade agreements are fundamentally political/non-economicThis is a deeper kind of “political” from trade models:

Trade agreements as a way to internalise terms-of-trade externality[Bagwell and Staiger (1999)]

Trade agreements as a commitment device to restrict producer interests[Maggi and Rodrıguez-Clare (1998), Maggi, Mrazova, and Neary (2017)]

Like any international treaty, they imply some loss of sovereignty

As economists we have no right to condemn non-economic views

Brexit is more about identity, history, belonging, than economicsSurveys suggest that many (not all) Brexit voters are willing to pay

As citizens, we have every right, but ...

We should not claim too much

Project Fear? Brexit will be less Dunkirk, more Winter of Discontent

We should not abuse our position

We should declare our interests

Speaking as a citizen ...... of Ireland, Europe, and the World

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 22 / 29

Page 145: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

Policy Relevance

Brexit: Science versus Politics, Ideology, Outrage

Trade agreements are fundamentally political/non-economicThis is a deeper kind of “political” from trade models:

Trade agreements as a way to internalise terms-of-trade externality[Bagwell and Staiger (1999)]

Trade agreements as a commitment device to restrict producer interests[Maggi and Rodrıguez-Clare (1998), Maggi, Mrazova, and Neary (2017)]

Like any international treaty, they imply some loss of sovereignty

As economists we have no right to condemn non-economic viewsBrexit is more about identity, history, belonging, than economics

Surveys suggest that many (not all) Brexit voters are willing to pay

As citizens, we have every right, but ...

We should not claim too much

Project Fear? Brexit will be less Dunkirk, more Winter of Discontent

We should not abuse our position

We should declare our interests

Speaking as a citizen ...... of Ireland, Europe, and the World

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 22 / 29

Page 146: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

Policy Relevance

Brexit: Science versus Politics, Ideology, Outrage

Trade agreements are fundamentally political/non-economicThis is a deeper kind of “political” from trade models:

Trade agreements as a way to internalise terms-of-trade externality[Bagwell and Staiger (1999)]

Trade agreements as a commitment device to restrict producer interests[Maggi and Rodrıguez-Clare (1998), Maggi, Mrazova, and Neary (2017)]

Like any international treaty, they imply some loss of sovereignty

As economists we have no right to condemn non-economic viewsBrexit is more about identity, history, belonging, than economicsSurveys suggest that many (not all) Brexit voters are willing to pay

As citizens, we have every right, but ...

We should not claim too much

Project Fear? Brexit will be less Dunkirk, more Winter of Discontent

We should not abuse our position

We should declare our interests

Speaking as a citizen ...... of Ireland, Europe, and the World

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 22 / 29

Page 147: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

Policy Relevance

Brexit: Science versus Politics, Ideology, Outrage

Trade agreements are fundamentally political/non-economicThis is a deeper kind of “political” from trade models:

Trade agreements as a way to internalise terms-of-trade externality[Bagwell and Staiger (1999)]

Trade agreements as a commitment device to restrict producer interests[Maggi and Rodrıguez-Clare (1998), Maggi, Mrazova, and Neary (2017)]

Like any international treaty, they imply some loss of sovereignty

As economists we have no right to condemn non-economic viewsBrexit is more about identity, history, belonging, than economicsSurveys suggest that many (not all) Brexit voters are willing to pay

As citizens, we have every right, but ...

We should not claim too much

Project Fear? Brexit will be less Dunkirk, more Winter of Discontent

We should not abuse our position

We should declare our interests

Speaking as a citizen ...... of Ireland, Europe, and the World

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 22 / 29

Page 148: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

Policy Relevance

Brexit: Science versus Politics, Ideology, Outrage

Trade agreements are fundamentally political/non-economicThis is a deeper kind of “political” from trade models:

Trade agreements as a way to internalise terms-of-trade externality[Bagwell and Staiger (1999)]

Trade agreements as a commitment device to restrict producer interests[Maggi and Rodrıguez-Clare (1998), Maggi, Mrazova, and Neary (2017)]

Like any international treaty, they imply some loss of sovereignty

As economists we have no right to condemn non-economic viewsBrexit is more about identity, history, belonging, than economicsSurveys suggest that many (not all) Brexit voters are willing to pay

As citizens, we have every right, but ...We should not claim too much

Project Fear? Brexit will be less Dunkirk, more Winter of Discontent

We should not abuse our position

We should declare our interests

Speaking as a citizen ...... of Ireland, Europe, and the World

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 22 / 29

Page 149: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

Policy Relevance

Brexit: Science versus Politics, Ideology, Outrage

Trade agreements are fundamentally political/non-economicThis is a deeper kind of “political” from trade models:

Trade agreements as a way to internalise terms-of-trade externality[Bagwell and Staiger (1999)]

Trade agreements as a commitment device to restrict producer interests[Maggi and Rodrıguez-Clare (1998), Maggi, Mrazova, and Neary (2017)]

Like any international treaty, they imply some loss of sovereignty

As economists we have no right to condemn non-economic viewsBrexit is more about identity, history, belonging, than economicsSurveys suggest that many (not all) Brexit voters are willing to pay

As citizens, we have every right, but ...We should not claim too much

Project Fear? Brexit will be less Dunkirk, more Winter of Discontent

We should not abuse our position

We should declare our interests

Speaking as a citizen ...... of Ireland, Europe, and the World

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 22 / 29

Page 150: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

Policy Relevance

Brexit: Science versus Politics, Ideology, Outrage

Trade agreements are fundamentally political/non-economicThis is a deeper kind of “political” from trade models:

Trade agreements as a way to internalise terms-of-trade externality[Bagwell and Staiger (1999)]

Trade agreements as a commitment device to restrict producer interests[Maggi and Rodrıguez-Clare (1998), Maggi, Mrazova, and Neary (2017)]

Like any international treaty, they imply some loss of sovereignty

As economists we have no right to condemn non-economic viewsBrexit is more about identity, history, belonging, than economicsSurveys suggest that many (not all) Brexit voters are willing to pay

As citizens, we have every right, but ...We should not claim too much

Project Fear? Brexit will be less Dunkirk, more Winter of Discontent

We should not abuse our position

We should declare our interests

Speaking as a citizen ...... of Ireland, Europe, and the World

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 22 / 29

Page 151: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

Policy Relevance

Brexit: Science versus Politics, Ideology, Outrage

Trade agreements are fundamentally political/non-economicThis is a deeper kind of “political” from trade models:

Trade agreements as a way to internalise terms-of-trade externality[Bagwell and Staiger (1999)]

Trade agreements as a commitment device to restrict producer interests[Maggi and Rodrıguez-Clare (1998), Maggi, Mrazova, and Neary (2017)]

Like any international treaty, they imply some loss of sovereignty

As economists we have no right to condemn non-economic viewsBrexit is more about identity, history, belonging, than economicsSurveys suggest that many (not all) Brexit voters are willing to pay

As citizens, we have every right, but ...We should not claim too much

Project Fear? Brexit will be less Dunkirk, more Winter of Discontent

We should not abuse our position

We should declare our interests

Speaking as a citizen ...... of Ireland, Europe, and the World

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 22 / 29

Page 152: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

Policy Relevance

Brexit: Science versus Politics, Ideology, Outrage

Trade agreements are fundamentally political/non-economicThis is a deeper kind of “political” from trade models:

Trade agreements as a way to internalise terms-of-trade externality[Bagwell and Staiger (1999)]

Trade agreements as a commitment device to restrict producer interests[Maggi and Rodrıguez-Clare (1998), Maggi, Mrazova, and Neary (2017)]

Like any international treaty, they imply some loss of sovereignty

As economists we have no right to condemn non-economic viewsBrexit is more about identity, history, belonging, than economicsSurveys suggest that many (not all) Brexit voters are willing to pay

As citizens, we have every right, but ...We should not claim too much

Project Fear? Brexit will be less Dunkirk, more Winter of Discontent

We should not abuse our position

We should declare our interestsSpeaking as a citizen ...

... of Ireland, Europe, and the World

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 22 / 29

Page 153: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

Policy Relevance

Brexit: Science versus Politics, Ideology, Outrage

Trade agreements are fundamentally political/non-economicThis is a deeper kind of “political” from trade models:

Trade agreements as a way to internalise terms-of-trade externality[Bagwell and Staiger (1999)]

Trade agreements as a commitment device to restrict producer interests[Maggi and Rodrıguez-Clare (1998), Maggi, Mrazova, and Neary (2017)]

Like any international treaty, they imply some loss of sovereignty

As economists we have no right to condemn non-economic viewsBrexit is more about identity, history, belonging, than economicsSurveys suggest that many (not all) Brexit voters are willing to pay

As citizens, we have every right, but ...We should not claim too much

Project Fear? Brexit will be less Dunkirk, more Winter of Discontent

We should not abuse our position

We should declare our interestsSpeaking as a citizen ...... of Ireland, Europe, and the World

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 22 / 29

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Policy Relevance

Back to the Science

Back to the Science: What is the best trade agreement for the UK?

“Global Britain”?

“I don’t think it makes sense for us to pretend we should remain in the singlemarket and I think there are real question marks about whether it makessense to remain in the customs union. [Doing so ... ] could undermine thegovernment’s ability to sign trade deals with countries outside the block.”

- Mervyn King, Former Governor, Bank of England, 26 Dec. 2016

The Single Market?

The Single Market is a trade agreement!

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 23 / 29

Page 155: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

Policy Relevance

Back to the Science

Back to the Science: What is the best trade agreement for the UK?

“Global Britain”?

“I don’t think it makes sense for us to pretend we should remain in the singlemarket and I think there are real question marks about whether it makessense to remain in the customs union. [Doing so ... ] could undermine thegovernment’s ability to sign trade deals with countries outside the block.”

- Mervyn King, Former Governor, Bank of England, 26 Dec. 2016

The Single Market?

The Single Market is a trade agreement!

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 23 / 29

Page 156: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

Policy Relevance

Back to the Science

Back to the Science: What is the best trade agreement for the UK?

“Global Britain”?

“I don’t think it makes sense for us to pretend we should remain in the singlemarket and I think there are real question marks about whether it makessense to remain in the customs union. [Doing so ... ] could undermine thegovernment’s ability to sign trade deals with countries outside the block.”

- Mervyn King, Former Governor, Bank of England, 26 Dec. 2016

The Single Market?

The Single Market is a trade agreement!

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 23 / 29

Page 157: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

Policy Relevance

Back to the Science

Back to the Science: What is the best trade agreement for the UK?

“Global Britain”?

“I don’t think it makes sense for us to pretend we should remain in the singlemarket and I think there are real question marks about whether it makessense to remain in the customs union. [Doing so ... ] could undermine thegovernment’s ability to sign trade deals with countries outside the block.”

- Mervyn King, Former Governor, Bank of England, 26 Dec. 2016

The Single Market?

The Single Market is a trade agreement!

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 23 / 29

Page 158: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

Policy Relevance

Back to the Science

Back to the Science: What is the best trade agreement for the UK?

“Global Britain”?“I don’t think it makes sense for us to pretend we should remain in the singlemarket and I think there are real question marks about whether it makessense to remain in the customs union. [Doing so ... ] could undermine thegovernment’s ability to sign trade deals with countries outside the block.”

- Mervyn King, Former Governor, Bank of England, 26 Dec. 2016

The Single Market?

The Single Market is a trade agreement!

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 23 / 29

Page 159: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

Policy Relevance

Back to the Science

Back to the Science: What is the best trade agreement for the UK?

“Global Britain”?“I don’t think it makes sense for us to pretend we should remain in the singlemarket and I think there are real question marks about whether it makessense to remain in the customs union. [Doing so ... ] could undermine thegovernment’s ability to sign trade deals with countries outside the block.”

- Mervyn King, Former Governor, Bank of England, 26 Dec. 2016

The Single Market?

The Single Market is a trade agreement!

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 23 / 29

Page 160: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

Policy Relevance

Back to the Science

Back to the Science: What is the best trade agreement for the UK?

“Global Britain”?“I don’t think it makes sense for us to pretend we should remain in the singlemarket and I think there are real question marks about whether it makessense to remain in the customs union. [Doing so ... ] could undermine thegovernment’s ability to sign trade deals with countries outside the block.”

- Mervyn King, Former Governor, Bank of England, 26 Dec. 2016

The Single Market?

The Single Market is a trade agreement!

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 23 / 29

Page 161: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

Policy Relevance

Back to the Science

Back to the Science: What is the best trade agreement for the UK?

“Global Britain”?“I don’t think it makes sense for us to pretend we should remain in the singlemarket and I think there are real question marks about whether it makessense to remain in the customs union. [Doing so ... ] could undermine thegovernment’s ability to sign trade deals with countries outside the block.”

- Mervyn King, Former Governor, Bank of England, 26 Dec. 2016

The Single Market?

The Single Market is a trade agreement!

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 23 / 29

Page 162: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

Policy Relevance

Back to the Science

Back to the Science: What is the best trade agreement for the UK?

“Global Britain”?“I don’t think it makes sense for us to pretend we should remain in the singlemarket and I think there are real question marks about whether it makessense to remain in the customs union. [Doing so ... ] could undermine thegovernment’s ability to sign trade deals with countries outside the block.”

- Mervyn King, Former Governor, Bank of England, 26 Dec. 2016

The Single Market?

The Single Market is a trade agreement!

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 23 / 29

Page 163: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

Policy Relevance

Who to Trade With?

[Sampson (2017), Dhingra et al. (2017)]

Lessons from Ricardo:

Countries that are very different have the potential for large gains ...

... but also for greatest disruption

The ideal trade agreement:

Respecting comparative advantage – but not too much ...

Nearby - so the agreement works with gravity, not against it

Deep: Including regulation and “behind-the-border” protection

Comprehensive: Covering agriculture and services as well as industry

So, what is the ideal trade agreement for the UK?

The Single Market, of course!

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 24 / 29

Page 164: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

Policy Relevance

Who to Trade With?

[Sampson (2017), Dhingra et al. (2017)]

Lessons from Ricardo:

Countries that are very different have the potential for large gains ...

... but also for greatest disruption

The ideal trade agreement:

Respecting comparative advantage – but not too much ...

Nearby - so the agreement works with gravity, not against it

Deep: Including regulation and “behind-the-border” protection

Comprehensive: Covering agriculture and services as well as industry

So, what is the ideal trade agreement for the UK?

The Single Market, of course!

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 24 / 29

Page 165: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

Policy Relevance

Who to Trade With?

[Sampson (2017), Dhingra et al. (2017)]

Lessons from Ricardo:

Countries that are very different have the potential for large gains ...

... but also for greatest disruption

The ideal trade agreement:

Respecting comparative advantage – but not too much ...

Nearby - so the agreement works with gravity, not against it

Deep: Including regulation and “behind-the-border” protection

Comprehensive: Covering agriculture and services as well as industry

So, what is the ideal trade agreement for the UK?

The Single Market, of course!

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 24 / 29

Page 166: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

Policy Relevance

Who to Trade With?

[Sampson (2017), Dhingra et al. (2017)]

Lessons from Ricardo:

Countries that are very different have the potential for large gains ...

... but also for greatest disruption

The ideal trade agreement:

Respecting comparative advantage – but not too much ...

Nearby - so the agreement works with gravity, not against it

Deep: Including regulation and “behind-the-border” protection

Comprehensive: Covering agriculture and services as well as industry

So, what is the ideal trade agreement for the UK?

The Single Market, of course!

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 24 / 29

Page 167: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

Policy Relevance

Who to Trade With?

[Sampson (2017), Dhingra et al. (2017)]

Lessons from Ricardo:

Countries that are very different have the potential for large gains ...

... but also for greatest disruption

The ideal trade agreement:

Respecting comparative advantage – but not too much ...

Nearby - so the agreement works with gravity, not against it

Deep: Including regulation and “behind-the-border” protection

Comprehensive: Covering agriculture and services as well as industry

So, what is the ideal trade agreement for the UK?

The Single Market, of course!

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 24 / 29

Page 168: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

Policy Relevance

Who to Trade With?

[Sampson (2017), Dhingra et al. (2017)]

Lessons from Ricardo:

Countries that are very different have the potential for large gains ...

... but also for greatest disruption

The ideal trade agreement:

Respecting comparative advantage – but not too much ...

Nearby - so the agreement works with gravity, not against it

Deep: Including regulation and “behind-the-border” protection

Comprehensive: Covering agriculture and services as well as industry

So, what is the ideal trade agreement for the UK?

The Single Market, of course!

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 24 / 29

Page 169: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

Policy Relevance

Who to Trade With?

[Sampson (2017), Dhingra et al. (2017)]

Lessons from Ricardo:

Countries that are very different have the potential for large gains ...

... but also for greatest disruption

The ideal trade agreement:

Respecting comparative advantage – but not too much ...

Nearby - so the agreement works with gravity, not against it

Deep: Including regulation and “behind-the-border” protection

Comprehensive: Covering agriculture and services as well as industry

So, what is the ideal trade agreement for the UK?

The Single Market, of course!

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 24 / 29

Page 170: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

Policy Relevance

Who to Trade With?

[Sampson (2017), Dhingra et al. (2017)]

Lessons from Ricardo:

Countries that are very different have the potential for large gains ...

... but also for greatest disruption

The ideal trade agreement:

Respecting comparative advantage – but not too much ...

Nearby - so the agreement works with gravity, not against it

Deep: Including regulation and “behind-the-border” protection

Comprehensive: Covering agriculture and services as well as industry

So, what is the ideal trade agreement for the UK?

The Single Market, of course!

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 24 / 29

Page 171: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

Policy Relevance

Who to Trade With?

[Sampson (2017), Dhingra et al. (2017)]

Lessons from Ricardo:

Countries that are very different have the potential for large gains ...

... but also for greatest disruption

The ideal trade agreement:

Respecting comparative advantage – but not too much ...

Nearby - so the agreement works with gravity, not against it

Deep: Including regulation and “behind-the-border” protection

Comprehensive: Covering agriculture and services as well as industry

So, what is the ideal trade agreement for the UK?

The Single Market, of course!

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 24 / 29

Page 172: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

Policy Relevance

Who to Trade With?

[Sampson (2017), Dhingra et al. (2017)]

Lessons from Ricardo:

Countries that are very different have the potential for large gains ...

... but also for greatest disruption

The ideal trade agreement:

Respecting comparative advantage – but not too much ...

Nearby - so the agreement works with gravity, not against it

Deep: Including regulation and “behind-the-border” protection

Comprehensive: Covering agriculture and services as well as industry

So, what is the ideal trade agreement for the UK?

The Single Market, of course!

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 24 / 29

Page 173: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

Policy Relevance

Who to Trade With?

[Sampson (2017), Dhingra et al. (2017)]

Lessons from Ricardo:

Countries that are very different have the potential for large gains ...

... but also for greatest disruption

The ideal trade agreement:

Respecting comparative advantage – but not too much ...

Nearby - so the agreement works with gravity, not against it

Deep: Including regulation and “behind-the-border” protection

Comprehensive: Covering agriculture and services as well as industry

So, what is the ideal trade agreement for the UK?

The Single Market, of course!

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 24 / 29

Page 174: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

Policy Relevance

Who to Trade With?

[Sampson (2017), Dhingra et al. (2017)]

Lessons from Ricardo:

Countries that are very different have the potential for large gains ...

... but also for greatest disruption

The ideal trade agreement:

Respecting comparative advantage – but not too much ...

Nearby - so the agreement works with gravity, not against it

Deep: Including regulation and “behind-the-border” protection

Comprehensive: Covering agriculture and services as well as industry

So, what is the ideal trade agreement for the UK?

The Single Market, of course!

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 24 / 29

Page 175: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

Policy Relevance

Who to Trade With?

[Sampson (2017), Dhingra et al. (2017)]

Lessons from Ricardo:

Countries that are very different have the potential for large gains ...

... but also for greatest disruption

The ideal trade agreement:

Respecting comparative advantage – but not too much ...

Nearby - so the agreement works with gravity, not against it

Deep: Including regulation and “behind-the-border” protection

Comprehensive: Covering agriculture and services as well as industry

So, what is the ideal trade agreement for the UK?

The Single Market, of course!

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 24 / 29

Page 176: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

Policy Relevance

Who to Trade With?

[Sampson (2017), Dhingra et al. (2017)]

Lessons from Ricardo:

Countries that are very different have the potential for large gains ...

... but also for greatest disruption

The ideal trade agreement:

Respecting comparative advantage – but not too much ...

Nearby - so the agreement works with gravity, not against it

Deep: Including regulation and “behind-the-border” protection

Comprehensive: Covering agriculture and services as well as industry

So, what is the ideal trade agreement for the UK?

The Single Market, of course!

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 24 / 29

Page 177: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

Policy Relevance

Who to Trade With?

[Sampson (2017), Dhingra et al. (2017)]

Lessons from Ricardo:

Countries that are very different have the potential for large gains ...

... but also for greatest disruption

The ideal trade agreement:

Respecting comparative advantage – but not too much ...

Nearby - so the agreement works with gravity, not against it

Deep: Including regulation and “behind-the-border” protection

Comprehensive: Covering agriculture and services as well as industry

So, what is the ideal trade agreement for the UK?

The Single Market, of course!

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 24 / 29

Page 178: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

Policy Relevance

Who to Trade With?

[Sampson (2017), Dhingra et al. (2017)]

Lessons from Ricardo:

Countries that are very different have the potential for large gains ...

... but also for greatest disruption

The ideal trade agreement:

Respecting comparative advantage – but not too much ...

Nearby - so the agreement works with gravity, not against it

Deep: Including regulation and “behind-the-border” protection

Comprehensive: Covering agriculture and services as well as industry

So, what is the ideal trade agreement for the UK?

The Single Market, of course!

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 24 / 29

Page 179: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

Policy Relevance

Who to Trade With?

[Sampson (2017), Dhingra et al. (2017)]

Lessons from Ricardo:

Countries that are very different have the potential for large gains ...

... but also for greatest disruption

The ideal trade agreement:

Respecting comparative advantage – but not too much ...

Nearby - so the agreement works with gravity, not against it

Deep: Including regulation and “behind-the-border” protection

Comprehensive: Covering agriculture and services as well as industry

So, what is the ideal trade agreement for the UK?

The Single Market, of course!

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 24 / 29

Page 180: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

Conclusion

Outline

1 The Dawn of Economic Theory

2 David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage

3 Trade and Income Distribution

4 What Ricardo Didn’t Know

5 Policy Relevance

6 Conclusion

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 25 / 29

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Conclusion

Conclusion

Ricardo’s Legacy:

Economics as a science

Two of the three big ideas in international trade theory

Role of Theory

Don’t take exact predictions too seriously; conditional forecasts only

A lens through which to view the world ...

... and flush out bad ideas

Bad ideas?

Not Brexit per se (in economic terms at least)

Rather:

MercantilismAnti-GravityGlobal Britain

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 26 / 29

Page 182: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

Conclusion

Conclusion

Ricardo’s Legacy:

Economics as a science

Two of the three big ideas in international trade theory

Role of Theory

Don’t take exact predictions too seriously; conditional forecasts only

A lens through which to view the world ...

... and flush out bad ideas

Bad ideas?

Not Brexit per se (in economic terms at least)

Rather:

MercantilismAnti-GravityGlobal Britain

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 26 / 29

Page 183: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

Conclusion

Conclusion

Ricardo’s Legacy:

Economics as a science

Two of the three big ideas in international trade theory

Role of Theory

Don’t take exact predictions too seriously; conditional forecasts only

A lens through which to view the world ...

... and flush out bad ideas

Bad ideas?

Not Brexit per se (in economic terms at least)

Rather:

MercantilismAnti-GravityGlobal Britain

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 26 / 29

Page 184: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

Conclusion

Conclusion

Ricardo’s Legacy:

Economics as a science

Two of the three big ideas in international trade theory

Role of Theory

Don’t take exact predictions too seriously; conditional forecasts only

A lens through which to view the world ...

... and flush out bad ideas

Bad ideas?

Not Brexit per se (in economic terms at least)

Rather:

MercantilismAnti-GravityGlobal Britain

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 26 / 29

Page 185: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

Conclusion

Conclusion

Ricardo’s Legacy:

Economics as a science

Two of the three big ideas in international trade theory

Role of Theory

Don’t take exact predictions too seriously; conditional forecasts only

A lens through which to view the world ...

... and flush out bad ideas

Bad ideas?

Not Brexit per se (in economic terms at least)

Rather:

MercantilismAnti-GravityGlobal Britain

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 26 / 29

Page 186: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

Conclusion

Conclusion

Ricardo’s Legacy:

Economics as a science

Two of the three big ideas in international trade theory

Role of Theory

Don’t take exact predictions too seriously; conditional forecasts only

A lens through which to view the world ...

... and flush out bad ideas

Bad ideas?

Not Brexit per se (in economic terms at least)

Rather:

MercantilismAnti-GravityGlobal Britain

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 26 / 29

Page 187: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

Conclusion

Conclusion

Ricardo’s Legacy:

Economics as a science

Two of the three big ideas in international trade theory

Role of Theory

Don’t take exact predictions too seriously; conditional forecasts only

A lens through which to view the world ...

... and flush out bad ideas

Bad ideas?

Not Brexit per se (in economic terms at least)

Rather:

MercantilismAnti-GravityGlobal Britain

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 26 / 29

Page 188: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

Conclusion

Conclusion

Ricardo’s Legacy:

Economics as a science

Two of the three big ideas in international trade theory

Role of Theory

Don’t take exact predictions too seriously; conditional forecasts only

A lens through which to view the world ...

... and flush out bad ideas

Bad ideas?

Not Brexit per se (in economic terms at least)

Rather:

MercantilismAnti-GravityGlobal Britain

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 26 / 29

Page 189: From Ricardo to Brexit and Beyond - users.ox.ac.ukusers.ox.ac.uk/~econ0211/papers/pdf/Ricardo2Brexit_Slides1.pdf · David Ricardo’s Big Idea: Trade and Comparative Advantage Outline

Conclusion

Conclusion

Ricardo’s Legacy:

Economics as a science

Two of the three big ideas in international trade theory

Role of Theory

Don’t take exact predictions too seriously; conditional forecasts only

A lens through which to view the world ...

... and flush out bad ideas

Bad ideas?

Not Brexit per se (in economic terms at least)

Rather:

MercantilismAnti-GravityGlobal Britain

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Conclusion

Conclusion

Ricardo’s Legacy:

Economics as a science

Two of the three big ideas in international trade theory

Role of Theory

Don’t take exact predictions too seriously; conditional forecasts only

A lens through which to view the world ...

... and flush out bad ideas

Bad ideas?

Not Brexit per se (in economic terms at least)

Rather:

MercantilismAnti-GravityGlobal Britain

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 26 / 29

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Conclusion

Conclusion

Ricardo’s Legacy:

Economics as a science

Two of the three big ideas in international trade theory

Role of Theory

Don’t take exact predictions too seriously; conditional forecasts only

A lens through which to view the world ...

... and flush out bad ideas

Bad ideas?

Not Brexit per se (in economic terms at least)

Rather:

Mercantilism

Anti-GravityGlobal Britain

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 26 / 29

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Conclusion

Conclusion

Ricardo’s Legacy:

Economics as a science

Two of the three big ideas in international trade theory

Role of Theory

Don’t take exact predictions too seriously; conditional forecasts only

A lens through which to view the world ...

... and flush out bad ideas

Bad ideas?

Not Brexit per se (in economic terms at least)

Rather:

MercantilismAnti-Gravity

Global Britain

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 26 / 29

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Conclusion

Conclusion

Ricardo’s Legacy:

Economics as a science

Two of the three big ideas in international trade theory

Role of Theory

Don’t take exact predictions too seriously; conditional forecasts only

A lens through which to view the world ...

... and flush out bad ideas

Bad ideas?

Not Brexit per se (in economic terms at least)

Rather:

MercantilismAnti-GravityGlobal Britain

J.P. Neary (Oxford) Ricardo to Brexit Nov. 28, 2017 26 / 29

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Conclusion

It’s the Science, Stupid!

March for Science, Saturday April 22, 2017

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Conclusion

Thanks and Acknowledgements*

Thank you for listening. Comments welcome!

* Much of the author’s research on which this lecture draws has received funding from the European Research Council under theEuropean Union’s Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013), ERC grant agreement no. 295669. The contents reflectonly the author’s views and not the views of the ERC or the European Commission, and the European Union is not liable for anyuse that may be made of the information contained therein.

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Bibliography

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