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The erosion of colonial trade linkages after independence

Author

Listed:
  • Keith Head

    (Sauder - Sauder School of Business [British Columbia] - UBC - University of British Columbia)

  • Thierry Mayer

    (ECON - Département d'économie (Sciences Po) - Sciences Po - Sciences Po - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)

  • John Ries

    (Sauder - Sauder School of Business [British Columbia] - UBC - University of British Columbia)

Abstract

Most independent nations today were part of empires in 1945. Using bilateral trade data from 1948 to 2006, we examine the effect of independence on post-colonial trade. While there is little short-run effect on trade, after four decades trade with the metropole (colonizer) has contracted by about 65%. Hostile separations lead to large, immediate reductions in trade. We also !nd that trade between former colonies of the same empire erodes as much as trade with the metropole, whereas trade with third countries decreases about 20%. The gradual trade deterioration following independence suggests the depreciation of some form of trading capital.

Suggested Citation

  • Keith Head & Thierry Mayer & John Ries, 2011. "The erosion of colonial trade linkages after independence," Post-Print hal-01024396, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:hal-01024396
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jinteco.2010.01.002
    Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://sciencespo.hal.science/hal-01024396
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