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Discussion Paper Details

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Title: The Commodity Export, Growth, and Distribution Connection in Southeast Asia 1500-1940

Author(s): Jeffrey G Williamson

Publication Date: February 2013

Keyword(s): commodities, development, distribution, southeast Asia and trade

Programme Area(s): Economic History

Abstract: This paper explores Southeast Asia's trade performance over the four and a half centuries from 1500 to 1940. It identifies the determinants of the commodity export performance ? falling trade costs, income growth of its trading partners, and improved supply conditions at home. It also explores its impact on Southeast Asia's growth performance: trade specialization generated more macro volatility, de-industrialization, rising colonial power, and greater inequality up to World War 1, but these forces turned around in the region thereafter, including some modest industrial Catch-up. Finally, the paper elaborates on the distributional impact and colonial profitability of commodity export booms and busts throughout the last century.

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Bibliographic Reference

Williamson, J. 2013. 'The Commodity Export, Growth, and Distribution Connection in Southeast Asia 1500-1940'. London, Centre for Economic Policy Research. https://cepr.org/active/publications/discussion_papers/dp.php?dpno=9364