Closed Jaguar, Open Dragon: Comparing Tariffs in Latin America and Asia before World War II

摘要: Despite an enormous literature that has analyzed the comparative experiences of Latin America and Asia in post-World War II trade policy, almost no attention been paid to experience prior wars. Even a cursory look at best available empirical evidence reveals tremendous contrasts between two regions. had highest tariff barriers on earth before 1914; lowest. Protected America's belle ‚poque also boasted some most explosive growth performance earth, while registered worst. What brought regions opposite ends policy spectrum? And why are these quantum differences economic so odds with postwar conventional wisdom? We begin by describing novel database we have constructed from largely original sources. explore impact colonial rule unequal treaties' Asian tariffs, as well geography political economy American tariffs. Limits autonomy explain one third vast difference regions' tariffs extent structure internal markets world environment much rest. conclude agenda for future.