Journal of Economic Perspectives
ISSN 0895-3309 (Print) | ISSN 1944-7965 (Online)
Income Inequality and Trade: How to Think, What to Conclude
Journal of Economic Perspectives
(pp. 33–55)
(Complimentary)
Abstract
Recent econometric work and growing analytical consensus suggest that exogenous international market pressures are a contributing factor to trends in U.S. wage/earnings inequality. Trade accounts for a share of these inequality trends close to or somewhat greater than its 10-15 percent share of economic activity, especially over medium-term horizons and dependent on precise definition. Trade is neither a trivial influence nor a dominant one. Evidence exists that its influence has declined slightly in the past decade, however. Rapid technological growth in exportable sectors seems more important.Citation
Richardson, J David. 1995. "Income Inequality and Trade: How to Think, What to Conclude." Journal of Economic Perspectives 9 (3): 33–55. DOI: 10.1257/jep.9.3.33JEL Classification
- J31 Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials
- F14 Country and Industry Studies of Trade
- J21 Labor Force and Employment, Size, and Structure