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The Evolution of the World Trade Web: A Weighted-Network Analysis

Author

Listed:
  • Giorgio Fagiolo

    (LEM - Laboratory of Economics and Management - SSSUP - Scuola Universitaria Superiore Sant'Anna = Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies [Pisa])

  • Javier Reyes

    (University of Arkansas [Fayetteville])

  • Stefano Schiavo

    (OFCE - Observatoire français des conjonctures économiques (Sciences Po) - Sciences Po - Sciences Po)

Abstract

This paper employs a weighted network approach to study the empirical properties of the web of trade relationships among world countries, and its evolution over time. We show that most countries are characterized by weak trade links; yet, there exists a group of countries featuring a large number of strong relationships, thus hinting to a core-periphery structure. Also, better-connected countries tend to trade with poorly-connected ones, but are also involved in highly-interconnected trade clusters. Furthermore, rich countries display more intense trade links and are more clustered. Finally, all network properties are remarkably stable across the years and do not depend on the weighting procedure.

Suggested Citation

  • Giorgio Fagiolo & Javier Reyes & Stefano Schiavo, 2008. "The Evolution of the World Trade Web: A Weighted-Network Analysis," SciencePo Working papers Main hal-03649144, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:spmain:hal-03649144
    Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://sciencespo.hal.science/hal-03649144
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Networks; World trade web; international trade; weighted network analysis; integration; trade openness; globalization;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F10 - International Economics - - Trade - - - General
    • D85 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Network Formation

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