Models for Analyzing Comparative Advantage

Recent economic history suggests that a key element in economic growth and development for many countries has been an aggressive export policy and a complementary import policy. Such policies can be very effective provided that resources are used wisely to encourage exports from industries that can be com- petitive in the international arena. Also, import protection must be used carefully so that it encourages infant industries instead of providing rents to industries that are not competitive. Policy makers may use a variety of methods of analysis in planning trade policy. As computing power has grown in recent years increasing attention has been give to economic models as one of the most powerful aids to policy making. These models can be used on the one hand to help in selecting export industries to encourage and infant industries to protect and on the other hand to chart the larger effects ofttade policy on the entire economy. While many models have been developed in recent years there has not been any analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the various types of models. Therefore, this monograph provides a review and analysis of the models which can be used to analyze dynamic comparative advantage.