Multinationals and Exports in a Large and Protected Developing Country

This paper examines an industry-level model developed to analyze the impact of affiliates of multinational firms (MNFs) on the host country's revealed comparative advantages (RCAs), which predicts that the referred impact is given by both technology service and industry orientation . Based on Brazilian manufacturing industries during the import-substitution industrialization, panel data estimates show that MNFs negatively affected RCA, which is explained by location advantages in industries presenting comparative disadvantages, as reinforced by a location model. Two other important results are: (i) import protection had a stronger anti-export effect on multinationals than on national firms; (ii) MNFs were concentrated in industries with lower world-export growth. Copyright � 2008 The Author. Journal compilation � 2008 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Stabilization Theory and Policy: 50 Years after the Phillips Curve

This paper discusses the impact of A. W. H. Phillips' seminal contributions to stabilization policy on subsequent developments in that field. We review the policy rules introduced by Phillips and show how these relate to the optimal rules emerging from linear–quadratic optimization problems. The consequences of rational expectations for the design of optimal stabilization policy are discussed. These challenges arose from the role of ‘forward-looking’ variables, through issues such as the ‘Lucas Critique’ and the ‘time consistency’ of policy. The paper also discusses some of the contemporary aspects of stabilization policy, thereby highlighting the durability of Phillips' contributions.