Growth, Import Dependence, and War

Roberto Bonfatti and Kevin O'Rourke

Economic Journal, 2018, vol. 128, issue 614, 2222-2257

Abstract: Theories of war predict that the leader may launch a war on a follower who is catching up, since the follower cannot commit to not use their increased power in the future. But it was Japan who attacked the West in 1941: both leaders and followers start wars. Similarly, many have argued that trade makes war less likely, yet the First World War erupted at a time of unprecedented globalisation. We develop a model of trade and war that can explain both observations. Dependence on imports can lead followers to attack leaders or resource‐rich regions when they are subject to blockade.

Date: 2018
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (7)

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https://doi.org/10.1111/ecoj.12511

Related works:
Working Paper: Growth, Import Dependence and War (2014)
Working Paper: Growth, Import Dependence and War (2014)
Working Paper: Growth, Import Dependence and War (2014)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:wly:econjl:v:128:y:2018:i:614:p:2222-2257

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