International Economics Commons^™

Community Development In Stann Creek, Belize, Connor O'Neill

Economics Undergraduate Honors Theses

This research attempts to understand the inner workings of community development by taking part in ongoing development projects in Belize. Through collaboration with existing government entities, we took part in meetings, surveys, and site visits to gather the data necessary for the development projects. These projects consisted of finding cost of production, collecting market research, and constructing business plans. During our time, we experienced multiple difficulties similar to those that developers consistently encounter. Ultimately, we gained valuable insight into procedures involved in community development, as well as being able to aid in ongoing development work.

How Do Immigration And Technological Growth Affect One Another? Providing Guiding Principles For Policymakers, Nate Karren

All Graduate Reports and Creative Projects, Fall 2023 to Present

The relationship between immigration and technological growth is more nuanced than a simple statement of positive or negative correlation. How one affects the other varies depending on the skill level of the immigrant and the field where they work. Conclusions drawn by the literature form patterns that can be used to best understand the relationship between immigration and technology. High-skilled immigration boosts technological development through a complementary relationship, but low-skilled immigration can be a complement or a substitute with technological growth depending on the sector. Policymakers interested in promoting long-term economic growth through technological growth should have a clear picture …

De-Escalating The United States-China Trade War Using A Global Conflict Resolution Methodology Framework, Angelina Kapp

Undergraduate Honors Theses

How can the United States and China collaboratively de-escalate their current trade relationship using a conflict resolution methodology to foster economic growth and foreign investor confidence in the evolving landscape of global trade? This paper will serve as a guide to those wanting to gain a comprehensive understanding of the macroeconomic causes and impacts of the contentious trade war between the U.S. and China. The year 2018 can be attributed to the start of the war when then-President Donald Trump implemented tariffs on Chinese goods and products. These back-and-forth financial and economic measures have been continually imposed to this day …

Regulatory Protection And The Role Of International Cooperation, Yuan Mei

Research Collection School Of Economics

I develop a general equilibrium framework to analyze the welfare consequences of product regulations and their international harmonization. In my model, raising product standards reduces a negative consumption externality, but also increases the marginal and fixed costs of production. When product standards are set noncooperatively, the effects of standards on other countries' wages and number of firms are not internalized, giving rise to an international inefficiency. The World Trade Organization's nondiscrimination principle of national treatment only partly addresses this inefficiency. Welfare losses from abandoning national treatment average 2.8%, whereas the maximum welfare gains from efficient cooperation average 11.8%.

The Impact Of The 2002 Economic Crisis On Remittances & Emigration In Uruguay, Abigail Robeson

Honors Theses

Throughout 2002, the Uruguayan peso depreciated by 85 percent, causing an economic crisis and a rise in people searching outward for employment. This increased both the number of remittances received and emigration in an unprecedented way within Uruguay. Reports of remittances, and migration patterns of Uruguayans before 2002 are vastly different from those of the years following. Using quantitative analysis and a variety of data sources, this paper finds that the Uruguayan economic crisis undoubtedly spurred both remittance relevance and emigration in Uruguay. Emigration and remittances concerning Uruguay are seen to be permanently impacted by the crisis – though to …

Essays On Spatial Economics And International Trade, Naiyuan Hu

Dissertations and Theses Collection (Open Access)

This dissertation consists of three papers on spatial economics and international trade. The first paper focuses on spatial inequalities. Educational resources are distributed unevenly and contribute to spatial inequality. A dynamic spatial model with life-cycle elements studies the impacts of location-specific educational resources. Individuals determine where to attend college, weighing distance, expected value of education, and available resources. Locations with more colleges attract more students. As mobility costs increase with age, many graduates stay in the city where they studied, affecting skill composition. Applied to China, it finds that the 2005- 2015 college expansion had minimal welfare impacts and suggests …

A Red Awakening: An Analysis Of China’S Quest For Global Dominance Through Economic Alternative Warfare Methods, Sarah Beddingfield

Senior Honors Theses

In the 2023 annual meeting of China’s parliament, Chinese President Xi made it clear to his political leaders and the world that he was preparing for war. This should come as no surprise after analysis of China's grand strategy points clearly to the intent to surpass the U.S. as the premier global superpower in all respects. China has been building towards this goal for years through untraditional methods of warfare, forcing the national security community to reevaluate its own strategy and assess the Chinese threat through a different lens. This thesis seeks to address one specific area in which China …

Essays On Trade Policy, Ward Reesman

All Dissertations

This dissertation consists of two essays on international trade and trade policy, focusing on a quantitative evaluation of the causes and consequences of trade barriers and economic integration. In the first essay, I examine the role of a widely-used discriminatory trade barrier in shaping dynamic trade patterns of exporters across a range of affected and unaffected export markets. In the next chapter, I explore the heterogeneous economic determinants impacting the formation of economic integration agreements among countries, paying specific attention to the role of bilateral migration flows.

The first chapter estimates the dynamic trade effects of temporary trade barriers (TTBs), …

The Balance Of Concessions In Trade Agreements, Mostafa Beshkar, Pao-Li Chang, Shenxi Song

Research Collection School Of Economics

This paper introduces a quantitative framework to analyze the WTO’s reciprocity principle. Utilizing two polar bargaining environments, we measure terms-of-trade concessions among WTO members and examine how shifts in applied tariffs and economic fundamentals affect bilateral and multilateral balance of concessions. We find significant disparities in concessions, largely driven by the rise in trade imbalances since the early 1990s. Notably, although US-China bilateral tariffs suggest considerable terms-of-trade benefits for China, under a hypothetical balanced trade scenario, their relationship evolves towards near reciprocity following China’s accession to the WTO. Furthermore, in contrast to the significant gains in its relationship with the …

Navigating The Threat Posed By The Chinese Communist Party, Adam Opp

Helm's School of Government Conference - 2021-2024

For decades, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and the economic growth of China has become a threat to the United States. Beginning in 1978, the CCP issued a series of economic, market-oriented reforms which led to a period of economic growth and productivity increase in China. The CCP turned to diplomacy with the United States and other nations to increase foreign investment and implemented the Belt and Road initiative. The impressive scale of Chinese economic growth poses an economic and hegemonic threat to the United States, as China’s economy is projected to outpace the United States and the CCP has …

Roger Altman’S 2008 Public Policy Analysis: At Fault Without The Blame, Isaac Deak

Helm's School of Government Conference - 2021-2024

Roger Altman published “Globalism in Retreat” in 2009, in which he offers analysis of the 2008 financial crisis, blaming free-markets and globalism as causes of the calamity, only to praise China’s “state-capitalism”, which he believes allowed the Chinese to emerge ahead of the globalists in recovery. This article, despite its age, provides a timeless example of a dangerous tendency in public policy. It demonstrates how policymakers can implement deleterious policies which result in inevitable crisis, and then, they subsequently escape blame by explaining away the crisis with bad analysis and even worse policy suggestions for the future. Policy suggestions, in …

Capitalism In Europe Vs. Latin America, Brandy Mace, Lucas E. Mainhart, Caleb Edwards, Dayton Lamb, Jesus Herrera-Herrera

ATU Scholars Symposium

Focusing on the years 1995 to 2023, what are the universal traits of capitalism versus the more varying or flexible traits, as demonstrated by comparing European and Latin American practices of capitalism. For the country comparisons, researchers have agreed on 3 common variables to evaluate the capitalist practices of a Latin American country with a European one. These shared variables are 1) The power of the country's currency, 2) The informal versus formal employment of the labor force, as well as unemployment rate, and 3) The income gap between the rich and poor. Each researcher will also include 1-3 additional …

The Role Of Firms In Enhancing Economic Competitiveness, Ishrat Husain Dr.

Faculty Research - Talks, Speeches, & Discourse

The challenge of improving competitiveness is intricate as nations themselves do not directly compete; rather, it is the myriad firms, enterprises, and companies within these nations that engage in competition. While factors like endowments, public policies, institutions, macroeconomic conditions, and business environment elements such as tariffs, taxation, regulations, utility pricing, and the ease and cost of doing business certainly play a role, the primary responsibility lies with the individual firms participating in the international markets for goods and services. Consequently, a comprehensive analysis of competitiveness necessitates a two-layered approach—one at the national level and another at the firm level. At …

Emerging Giants And Lessons For Development: China, India, And Their Different Paths To Progress, Eskander Alvi Editor, Wei-Chiao Huang Editor

Upjohn Press

This book explores the differences and commonalities in growth experiences of two looming economic giants, China and India—countries that follow often-contrasting economic, social, and political paths as they struggle to achieve long-term prosperity for their billion-plus populations. The papers included within show that the economic and political realities in the two countries are quite different, and that these realities are deeply embedded in each country’s social framework. China and India are at markedly different stages of economic development but the challenges facing the two countries, unsurprisingly, diverge—not only because of the different stage of development each has reached, but also …

A Gravity Model Of International Student Flows, Luciana Mendoza, Samuel Schreyer

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

Our research aims to use a gravity model to assess the importance of geographical distance and other macroeconomic factors associated with the destination country chosen by students when pursuing tertiary education abroad. We analyze a large sample of data that includes international students from nearly every country in the world from 2013 to 2021. Our results indicate that geographical distance is an important factor when students choose to study abroad and that this effect is most pronounced for students from lower-income countries. We also find that the flow of international students became more sensitive to geographical distance as the years …

Game Changer: Mobile Apps Leveling Up Field Experiments, Lucie Schulz

Master's Theses

This study investigates the feasibility of digital financial education for microcredit borrowers with limited digital literacy in Eastern Uganda using a mobile game simulating real-world livestock investments. Analyzing 117,870 decisions made by 133 participants across five game sessions, we found a statistically significant increase in decision-making speed, with the speed more than doubling between the first and last game session, indicating growing familiarity with the game interface.

However, the overall error rate of participants increased significantly, possibly due to fatigue or the introduction of more complex financial concepts in higher levels. Additional analysis of the initial decisions at each level …

Analyzing Colonial South Carolina's Trade Landscape Through The Ricardian Model, Dylan M. Peddemors

Senior Theses

The state of South Carolina existed as a British colony from its founding in 1663 until it declared independence in 1776. During this period, South Carolina operated as a plantation-based, cash-crop economy relying on two primary exports: rice and indigo. The colony displayed nearly complete specialization in its exports of these crops while importing different goods. The theory of comparative advantage in trade relationships crafted by British economist David Ricardo in the 18th century concludes that gains from trade emerge when trade partners specialize in the production and exportation of the goods of which they have the lowest opportunity cost. …

Assessing The Impacts Of The Us-China Trade War On Asian Economies, Ruoqing Chen

Dissertations and Theses Collection (Open Access)

The ongoing trade tensions between the United States and China have reverberated globally, sparking concerns about economic stability and growth. What are the most affected industries and economies among Asia? What will happen if the US and China further raise their tariffs? Are there any useful trade policy adjustments for the Asian economies to improve their lots under the not-so-optimistic world trade climate? This paper employs a multi-country, multi-industry, general equilibrium model to analyze the impacts of the US-China trade war and potential further tariff war on 13 Asian regions across 20 industries in the year 2017. The results indicate …

“¡Que Se Vayan Todos!”: La Crisis Socioeconómica De Argentina En Diciembre De 2001 Y El Papel Del Fondo Monetario Internacional En Su Desarrollo / “Down With Them All!”: Argentina’S December 2001 Socioeconomic Crisis And The Role Of The International Monetary Fund In Its Development, Romita Chattaraj

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Desde su inicio en 1944, el Fondo Monetario Internacional (FMI) ha sido objeto de controversia por su participación en algunas de las peores crisis financieras de la historia económica global. La crisis socioeconómica de 2001 que experimentó Argentina tras décadas de apoyo del FMI es uno de sus casos más destacados. A pesar del crecimiento económico explosivo que experimentó Argentina a lo largo del siglo XIX y principios del XX, Argentina cayó víctima de la inestabilidad macroeconómica durante la segunda mitad del siglo XX y finalmente llegó a declarar lo que en ese momento fue el mayor incumplimiento soberano de …

Trade Liberalization With Brics: A Cge Model Of Egypt, Kareem Ashraf

Theses and Dissertations

This paper presents an ex-ante impact assessment of a hypothetical FTA between Egypt and the BRICS from an Egyptian economy-wide and sectorial perspectives, with a granular look into manufacturing. The chosen methodology is a static SAM-based Computable General Equilibrium model calibrated to Egypt’s 2018-2019 Social Accounting Matrix (SAM). With respect to existing literature, the paper uniquely stands in considering an Egypt-BRICS FTA with a granular assessment of manufacturing subsectors and in running a simulation of Egypt’s trade liberalization with the wider BRICS alliance, including the accession of Saudi Arabia, UAE, Ethiopia, and Iran, which joined the bloc along with Egypt …

Does Dollarization Have An Impact On Economic Growth?, Jorge Robinson

Research Day

Many developing and undeveloped countries, grappling with issues such as hyperinflation, corruption, high unemployment rates, poverty, and financial instability, often view dollarization as a potential solution. Dollarization involves adopting the US currency as the official or parallel currency, a strategy observed in countries like El Salvador, Ecuador, and Zimbabwe. The purpose of this research is to compare the impact of dollarization on real gross domestic product (RGDP) to that of countries that did not adopt dollarization. My results indicate that dollarization does indeed affect economic growth. These findings demonstrate that dollarized countries experience a higher percentage change in RGDP compared …

Ramping Up Exports: Strategy And Direction, Ishrat Husain Dr.

Faculty Research - Talks, Speeches, & Discourse

First of all, let me thank Humanex for providing this opportunity to share my views on a very important subject. I don’t want to repeat what Tariq Ikram has said because he has covered a lot of things which I had proposed to speak to you about but because of the youngsters present here, young people who have not seen what Pakistan’s economic trajectory has been, I want to remind them that Pakistan inherited absolutely no industry unit in the territory which is Pakistan. Most of the industries were all in India. There was only one decrepit Dalmia Cement Factory …

The Influence Of Societal Nationalist Sentiment On Trade Flows, Douglas Dow, Ilya Cuypers

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

In recent years, the world has witnessed a backlash against globalization and a rise in populist and nationalist movements around the world. However, there appears to be little empirical research concerning how these movements, and especially nationalist sentiment, actually influence trade. Therefore, we explore how and when nationalist sentiment within a country influences trade. Our results indicate that the effect of nationalist sentiment on imports is mediated by lower participation in free trade agreements (FTAs) but not via tariffs. Furthermore, we are unable to confirm support for a direct effect of nationalist sentiment on imports, as predicted by the consumer …

Migration And Resource Misallocation In China, Xiaolu Li, Lin Ma, Yang Tang

Research Collection School Of Economics

We structurally estimate the firm-level frictions across prefectures in China and quantify their aggregate and distributional implications. Based on a general equilibrium model with input and output distortions and migration, we show that the firm-level frictions are less dispersed and less correlated with firm productivity in richer prefectures. Counterfactual exercises show that reducing the within-prefecture misallocation increases aggregate welfare, discourages migration toward large prefectures, and reduces spatial inequality. Moreover, internal migration alleviates micro-frictions’ impacts on aggregate welfare and worsens their effects on spatial inequality.

Spillover Effects Of Capital Controls: A Critical Review And New Agenda For The Future Directions, Biswajit Panigrahi, K.P Prabheesh

Bulletin of Monetary Economics and Banking

This study tries to undertake a critical review of the spillover effects of capital controls and their welfare implications. We provide a synthesis of the literature on both the theoretical and empirical literature on the spillover effects of capital controls. Furthermore, the role of similar economies (geographical region, and economic characteristics), direction-specific capital controls, global financial crisis (GFC), asset-specific capital controls and the compositional effect of capital flows are discussed to explore the degree and extent of spillover effects of capital controls policy. Similarly, the welfare implications of capital controls depend on the policy motive behind the imposition of capital …

Terminology Related To Ocean And Coastal Economic Activity, Nicole Leboeuf, Ralph F. Rayner, Carl Gouldman, Zack Baize, Monica Grasso, Brittany Croll, Kate Quigley

Journal of Ocean and Coastal Economics

This communication paper considers the definition and usage of terms describing ocean and coastal economic activity and the provision of the ocean data, information and knowledge needed to support its evolution and development.

Economic Effects Of Pandemic On Us And Indian Economies With Policy Actions In 2019-2023: A Comparative Analysis, Kishore Kukarni Dr., Amitabh S. Dutta

International Review of Business and Economics

COVID 19 pandemic that started in February/March 2019, with happenings in Yuwan, China spread like a wildfire all over the world. All countries faced one of the worst economic challenges in recent centuries if not ever in the history of the mankind. Early predications were so severe and devastating that some forecasters predicted a death-toll of 100 million all over the world, as the virus was not only spreading fast but also had no solution for its serious fatal effects. It was evident that the patients were dying before getting any effective treatments and many of them were elderly individuals. …

Selecting A Measurement System: Using Measurement System Potential Approval Criteria, Karl D. Majeske

International Review of Business and Economics

This paper presents the results of a manufacturer’s quest to identify a measuring strategy during process development. Standard Measurement Systems Analysis (MSA) criteria provide a common framework to evaluate a gauge’s ability to produce data that fairly represents the quality characteristics that describe a part’s fitness for use. Here, MSA criteria, as well as hypothesis tests of precision and bias, are used to compare to two alternative measurement systems. Ultimately, to compare the two systems, measures of MSA criteria are developed that reflect the potential the criteria could reach by eliminating operator-to-operator gauge error.

Misgivings In Measuring Happiness, Sudhanva Char

International Review of Business and Economics

According to a resolution of the UN General Assembly (Resolution 66/281), March 20^th is observed annually as International Day of Happiness. A nation’s overall success is measured by people’s happiness, the litmus test. The World Happiness Report (WHR) states there is consensus about measuring happiness, whereas, happiness is idiosyncratic and its connotation differs from culture to culture, language to language, and even person to person. Personal ‘space’ in all spheres matters, and so do democracy or dictatorship, all factors leading to mismeasures of happiness scores. And so, there are paradoxes in happiness rankings in WHR. Economists have yet to …

The Long And Short-Run Spatial Impacts Of Trade, Lin Ma, Yunlong Song, Yang Tang

Research Collection School Of Economics

We explore how the spatial impacts of trade evolve over time using a dynamic spatial model that incorporates capital accumulation and skill acquisition. We show that in the short run, the spatial impacts of trade mainly depend on the initial conditions, especially the endowments of physical and human capital across locations. However, in the long run, trade shocks shape the distribution of production factors across space through factor accumulation and migration, resulting in significantly different spatial impacts. In the context of China’s WTO accession, we find that international trade is seven times more effective in driving the population towards coastal …