Macrohistory Lab, University of Bonn (2017) Currency valuations, retaliation and trade conflicts evidence from interwar France. Economic History Working Papers (258/2017). London School of Economics and Political Science, Economic History Department, London, UK.
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Abstract
The devaluations of the 1930s facilitated a faster recovery from the Great Depression in the countries depreciating, but their unilateral manner provoked retaliatory commercial policies abroad. This paper explores the importance of the retaliatory motive in French trade policy during the 1930s and its effects on trade. Relying on a novel dataset of bilateral tariff rates and a difference in differences approach, the quantification of the protectionist response suggests that retaliation was an important motive behind increasing tariffs. The resulting beggar-myneighbour penalty reduced trade to a similar degree that modern regional trade agreements foster trade. Furthermore, the analysis of contemporary newspapers reveals that the devaluations of the early 1930s triggered a lasting Anglo-French trade conflict marked by titfor-tat protectionist policies. Overall, the quantitative and qualitative results indicate that the unilateral currency depreciations came at a high price in political and economic terms.
| Item Type: | Monograph (Working Paper) |
|---|---|
| Official URL: | http://www.lse.ac.uk/economicHistory/home.aspx |
| Additional Information: | © 2017 The Authors |
| Divisions: | Economic History |
| Subjects: | H Social Sciences > HC Economic History and Conditions |
| JEL classification: | F - International Economics > F1 - Trade > F13 - Commercial Policy; Protection; Promotion; Trade Negotiations; International Trade Organizations F - International Economics > F1 - Trade > F15 - Economic Integration N - Economic History > N4 - Government, War, Law, and Regulation > N44 - Europe: 1913- N - Economic History > N7 - Transport, International and Domestic Trade, Energy, Technology, and Other Services > N74 - Europe: 1913- |
| Date Deposited: | 21 Mar 2017 10:41 |
| Last Modified: | 15 Sep 2023 23:41 |
| URI: | http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/id/eprint/69925 |
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