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Stages of diversification: France, 1836–1938

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  • Stéphane Becuwe
  • Bertrand Blancheton
  • Christopher M Meissner

Abstract

We study economic performance in France 1836–1938 through the prism of international trade. Using a new database of disaggregated exports, we document that French revealed comparative advantage moved from traditional to new manufactures and some non-manufactured goods. A strong diversification of exports begins in 1860 which decelerates from 1880. GDP per capita is a stronger determinant of diversification than trade barriers. Both variables have been highlighted in recent studies of export diversification covering the late 20th century. France followed a very common trajectory supporting the view that French economic performance was not as abnormal as the early literature maintained.

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  • Stéphane Becuwe & Bertrand Blancheton & Christopher M Meissner, 2018. "Stages of diversification: France, 1836–1938," European Review of Economic History, European Historical Economics Society, vol. 22(4), pages 430-461.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:ereveh:v:22:y:2018:i:4:p:430-461.
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    Cited by:

    1. Becuwe, Stéphane & Blancheton, Bertrand & Meissner, Christopher M., 2021. "The French (Trade) Revolution of 1860: Intra-Industry Trade and Smooth Adjustment," The Journal of Economic History, Cambridge University Press, vol. 81(3), pages 688-722, September.
    2. Stéphane Bécuwe & Bertrand Blancheton, 2020. "French textile specialisation in long run perspective (1836–1938): trade policy as industrial policy," Business History, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 62(6), pages 891-914, August.
    3. Jacopo Timini, 2018. "The drivers of Italian exports and product market entry: 1862-1913 (Updated August 2020)," Working Papers 1836, Banco de España, revised Aug 2020.
    4. Stéphane Becuwe & Bertrand Blancheton & Samuel Maveyraud, 2022. "New evidence on wine in French international trade (1848–1913): Import discrimination as export quality promotion," Economic History Review, Economic History Society, vol. 75(4), pages 1242-1269, November.
    5. Wolf-Fabiann Hungerland & Nikolaus Wolf, 2022. "The panopticon of Germany’s foreign trade, 1880–1913: New facts on the first globalization [Economics and the modern economic historian]," European Review of Economic History, European Historical Economics Society, vol. 26(4), pages 479-507.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • F62 - International Economics - - Economic Impacts of Globalization - - - Macroeconomic Impacts
    • F63 - International Economics - - Economic Impacts of Globalization - - - Economic Development
    • N23 - Economic History - - Financial Markets and Institutions - - - Europe: Pre-1913
    • N73 - Economic History - - Economic History: Transport, International and Domestic Trade, Energy, and Other Services - - - Europe: Pre-1913

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