Commodity Market Disintegration in the Interwar Period

Kevin O'Rourke, David Jacks and William Hynes

No 7189, CEPR Discussion Papers from C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers

Abstract: Using data collected by the International Institute of Agriculture, we document the disintegration of international commodity markets between 1913 and 1938. There was dramatic disintegration during World War I, gradual reintegration during the 1920s, and then a very substantial disintegration after 1929. The period saw the unravelling of a great many of the integration gains of the 1870-1913 period. While increased transport costs certainly help to explain the wartime disintegration, they cannot explain the post-1929 increase in trade costs. Protectionism seems the most likely alternative candidate.

Keywords: Commodity markets; Deglobalization; Disintegration; Great depression; Interwar economy; Trade (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: F13 F15 F59 N70 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2009-03
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-his
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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Related works:
Journal Article: Commodity market disintegration in the interwar period (2012)
Working Paper: Commodity Market Disintegration in the Interwar Period (2009)
Working Paper: Commodity Market Disintegration in the Interwar Period (2009)
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