CAPITAL ACCUMULATION AND CONVERGENCE IN A SMALL OPEN ECONOMY

Outward-oriented economies seem to grow faster than inward-looking ones. Does the literature on convergence have anything to say on this? In the dynamic Heckscher-Ohlin-Samuelson model, with factor-price equalization, there is no convergence of incomes. This is because with identical preferences and return to capital, irrespective of initial levels the growth rates of consumption are the same. In the Specific Factors model, there is factor price equalization in the long run, but incomes depend on endowments of non-accumulable factors. Different specifications for the intersectorally mobile factors have different implications for development (as well as convergence).Convergence, Heckscher-Ohlin Model, Specific Factors Model, Land, Capital Accumulation.

FDEVELOPING ECONOMIES AND THE ENVIRONMENT - THE ROLE OF TRADE AND CAPITAL FLOWS

This paper reviews (critically and selectively) the literature on the link between economic development, the environment and international trade (and capital flows). In particular, how stricter environmental regulation in the North affects trade and capital movements between the North and the South. It also discusses how trade and capital flows in turn, affect environmental policy.

Non-Uniqueness in the First Generation Balance of Payments Crisis Model

No abstract.

Perfect Competition and the Keynesian Cross:Revisiting Tobin

I look at an exogenous decrease in the desire to save in a two-sector-two-period overlapping generations model, where the consumption good is capital-intensive and the elasticities of substitution in production are "small". It is shown that there is a Keynesian-type multiplier at work, even though the model is a competitive one with full employment (and inelastic labour supply). It is reminiscent of Tobin (1975) who had shown thirty years ago that Keynesian results could be obtained with (short run) Marshallian dynamics (albeit in an ad-hoc model).Overlapping Generations, Two-sector Models, Multiplier, Keynesian Cross.

FIXED COSTS, THE BALANCED-BUDGET MULTIPLIER AND WELFARE

In a two-sector model, where one of the sectors is monopolistically competitive and subject to increasing returns to scale but without love for variety, we analyze the effects of a balanced budget fiscal expansion. Such an expansion could increase the welfare of the representative individual, if elasticities of substitution in production and consumption are low. A reorganization of production takes place--increasing returns enabling a rise in real income.New-Keynesian Models, Monopolistic Competition

PRIVATIZATION IN A SMALL OPEN ECONOMY WITH IMPERFECT COMPETITION

We look at privatization in a general equilibrium model of a small, tariff-distorted, open economy. There is a differentiated good produced by both private and public sector enterprises. A reduction in government production in order to cut losses from such production raises the returns to capital and increases the tariff revenue, which are welfare improving. However, privatization also leads to lower wages and possibly fewer private brands. This lowers workers’ welfare, which may make privatization politically infeasible. Privatization can improve workers’ welfare with complementary reforms, e.g., attracting foreign investment or trade liberalization.public sector enterprise, privatization, foreign investment, trade liberalization, monopolistic competition.

CAPITAL FLOW VOLATILITY AND EXCHANGE RATES-- THE CASE OF INDIA

This paper examines the relationship between the real exchange rate, level of capital flows, volatility of the flows, fiscal and monetary policy indicators and the current account surplus for the Indian economy for the period 1993Q2 to 2004Q1. The estimations indicate that the variables are cointegrated and each granger causes the real exchange rate. The generalized variance decompositions show that determinants of the real exchange rate, in descending order of importance include net capital inflows and their volatility (jointly), government expenditure, current account surplus and the money supply. A preliminary analysis suggests that a similar analysis can be performed for the foreign exchange reserves held by the RBI.real exchange rate, capital flows, foreign exchange reserves, cointegration,

Privatization in a Small Open Economy with Imperfect Competition

We look at privatization in a general equilibrium model of a small, tariff-distorted, open economy. There is a differentiated good produced by both private and public sector enterprises. A reduction in government production in order to cut losses from such production raises the returns to capital and increases the tariff revenue, which are welfare improving. However, privatization also leads to lower wages and possibly fewer private brands. This lowers workers’ welfare, which may make privatization politically infeasible. Privatization can improve workers’ welfare with complementary reforms, e.g., attracting foreign investment or trade liberalization.public sector enterprise; privatization; foreign investment; trade liberalization; monopolistic competition

Tariffs, Capital Accumulation, and the Current Account in a Small Open Economy

This paper analyze these effects of a tariff in an intertemporal optimizing model, emphasizing the role of capital accumulation. Three types of increases in the tariff rate are considered: (i) unanticipated permanent; (ii) unanticipated temporary; (iii) anticipated permanent. There are two main general conclusions to be drawn from the analysis. The first is that the introduction (or increase) of a tariff is contractionary, both in the short run and in the long run. In particular, employment is reduced both in the short run and in the long run, so that there is no significant intertemporal tradeoff, as obtained by previous authors. The fail in the long-run capital stock causes an immediate reduction in the rate of investment, which in turn leads to a current account surplus. While this response of the current account is in accordance with much (but not all) of the existing literature, the mechanism by which it is achieved, namely the decumulation of capital, has not been previously considered. Also, the fact that the declining capital stock is accompanied by an accumulation of foreign bonds means that the savings effect of the tariff is unclear, depending upon which influence dominates. This ambiguity of savings is, however, very different from those occurring in other studies. The second major conclusions stems from the fact that the steady state depended upon the initial stocks of the assets. As a consequence, a temporary tariff, by altering these initial conditions for some later date when the tariff is removed, leads to a permanent effect on the economy.