Why are some people (and countries) more protectionist than others?

Anna Maria Mayda (Georgetown University) and Dani Rodrik (Harvard University) ()
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Anna Maria Mayda (Georgetown University) and Dani Rodrik (Harvard University): Department of Economics, Georgetown University, http://www9.georgetown.edu/faculty/amm223/
Authors registered in the RePEc Author Service: Anna Maria Mayda and Dani Rodrik

Working Papers from Georgetown University, Department of Economics

Abstract: We analyze two cross-country data sets that contain information on attitudes toward trade as well as a broad range of socio-demographic and other indicators. We find that pro-trade preferences are significantly and robustly correlated with an individual's level of human capital, in the manner predicted by the factor endowments model. Preferences over trade are also correlated with the trade exposure of the sector in which an individual is employed: individuals in nontraded sectors tend to be the most pro-trade, while individuals in sectors with a revealed comparative disadvantage are the most protectionist. Third, an individual's relative economic status has a very strong positive association with pro-trade attitudes. Finally, non-economic determinants, in the form of values, identities, and attachments, play an important role in explaining the variation in preferences over trade. High degrees of neighborhood attachment and nationalism/patriotism are associated with protectionist tendencies.

Keywords: trade preferences; attitudes toward trade (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: F1 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2005-05-11
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-afr, nep-lam and nep-pol
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (331)

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Related works:
Journal Article: Why are some people (and countries) more protectionist than others? (2005)
Working Paper: Why are Some People (and Countries) More Protectionist than Others? (2001)
Working Paper: Why Are Some People (and Countries) More Protectionist Than Others? (2001)
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