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Effective Rates of Protection in an Industrialising, Settler Economy: Estimates for Victoria (Australia) in 1880

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  • Brian D. Varian

Abstract

This study estimates effective rates of protection for 33 manufacturing industries in Victoria in 1880. It emerges that several industries received negative effective rates of protection. Overall, the effective rates of protection suggest that the magnitude of protection in late-nineteenthcentury Victoria was considerably less than in the other industrialising, settler economies of Canada and the United States—to a more pronounced degree than suggested by nominal tariff levels. The very high correlation between nominal tariffs and effective rates of protection exhibited by colonial Victoria should enhance the confidence of economic historians using the former as a proxy for the latter.

Suggested Citation

  • Brian D. Varian, 2025. "Effective Rates of Protection in an Industrialising, Settler Economy: Estimates for Victoria (Australia) in 1880," CEH Discussion Papers 02, Centre for Economic History, Research School of Economics, Australian National University.
    • Handle: RePEc:auu:hpaper:128
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    File URL: https://cbe.anu.edu.au/researchpapers/CEH/WP202502.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Australia; effective rate of protection; manufacturing; tariffs; Victoria;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F14 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Empirical Studies of Trade
    • N67 - Economic History - - Manufacturing and Construction - - - Africa; Oceania
    • N77 - Economic History - - Economic History: Transport, International and Domestic Trade, Energy, and Other Services - - - Africa; Oceania

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