Citation

Discussion Paper Details

Please find the details for DP14473 in an easy to copy and paste format below:

Full Details

Title: Gravity without Apologies: The Science of Elasticities, Distance, and Trade

Author(s): C�line Carr�re, Monika Mr�zov� and J Peter Neary

Publication Date: March 2020

Keyword(s): Bilateral Trade Balances, Brexit, Elasticity of Trade to Distance, Quantile regression, Structural Gravity and Trade and Subconvex Demands

Programme Area(s): International Trade and Regional Economics

Abstract: Gravity as both fact and theory is one of the great success stories of the modern study of international trade, and has featured prominently in policy debates such as that over Brexit. We first review the facts, noting the overwhelming evidence that trade tends to fall with distance. We then introduce some expository tools for understanding CES theories of gravity as a simple general-equilibrium system. Next, we point out some anomalies with the theory, including implausible predictions for bilateral trade balances. Finally, we sketch an approach based on subconvex gravity as a promising direction to resolving them.

For full details and related downloads, please visit: https://cepr.org/active/publications/discussion_papers/dp.php?dpno=14473

Bibliographic Reference

Carr�re, C, Mr�zov�, M and Neary, J. 2020. 'Gravity without Apologies: The Science of Elasticities, Distance, and Trade'. London, Centre for Economic Policy Research. https://cepr.org/active/publications/discussion_papers/dp.php?dpno=14473