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DP1039
What does the Political Economy Literature on Trade Policy (Not) Tell Us That We Ought to Know?
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Publication Date:
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October 1994
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Link to this Page:
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www.cepr.org/pubs/dps/DP1039.asp
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Purchase Options:
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An electronic copy of this Discussion Paper is available to purchase on request for £3. To order a copy, pease email orders@cepr.org.
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Three questions lie at the core of the large and distinguished literature on the political economy of trade policy. First, why is international trade not free? Second, why are trade policies universally biased against (rather than in favour of) trade? Third, what are the determinants of the variation in protection levels across industries, countries, and institutional contexts? These questions are handled only imperfectly by the existing literature. Current models treat trade policy as a redistributive tool, but do not explain why it emerges in political equilibrium in preference over more direct policy instruments. Further, existing models do not generate a bias against trade, implying that pro-trade interventions are as likely as trade-restricting interventions. The greatest contribution of the political economy literature may lie in developing a better grasp of normative economic analysis - that is, in helping design policies, rules, and institutions.
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