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Journal of Economic Literature: Vol. 42 No. 1 (March 2004)

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Trade Liberalization and Poverty: The Evidence So Far

Article Citation

Winters, L. Alan, Neil McCulloch, and Andrew McKay. 2004. "Trade Liberalization and Poverty: The Evidence So Far ." The Journal of Economic Literature, 42(1): 72-115.

DOI: 10.1257/002205104773558056

Abstract

This paper assesses the current state of evidence on the impact of trade policy reform on poverty in developing countries. There is little empirical evidence addressing this question directly, but a lot of related evidence on specific aspects. We summarize this evidence using an analytic framework addressing four key areas: economic growth and stability; households and markets; wages and employment and government revenue. Twelve key questions are identified and empirical studies and results are discussed. We argue that there is no simple generalizable conclusion about the relationship between trade liberalization and poverty, and the picture is much less negative than is often suggested. In the long run and on average, trade liberalization is likely to be strongly poverty alleviating, and there is no convincing evidence that it will generally increase overall poverty or vulnerability. But there is evidence that the poor may be less well placed in the short run to protect themselves against adverse effects and take advantage of favorable opportunities.

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Authors

Winters, L. Alan
McCulloch, Neil
McKay, Andrew


Journal of Economic Literature



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