Growth effects of economic integration. The case of the EU Member States (1950-2000).

Publikation: Working/Discussion PaperWU Working Paper

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Abstract

Has economic integration improved the postwar growth performance of the actual fifteen member states of the European Union (EU)? To answer this question, we first construct an index of integration for each member state that explicitly accounts for global integration (GATT) as well as regional (European) integration. Using this variable, we test for permanent and temporary growth effects in a dynamic growth accounting framework, both in a time series setting for the (aggregate) EU and a panel approach for the EU member states. Although the hypothesis of permanent growth effects as postulated by endogenous growth models with scale effects is clearly rejected, we find significant levels effects: GDP per capita of the EU would be approximately one fifth lower today, if no integration had taken place since 1950. Interestingly, two third of this effect are due to GATT-liberalization. (author's abstract)
OriginalspracheEnglisch
ErscheinungsortVienna
HerausgeberForschungsinstitut für Europafragen, WU Vienna University of Economics and Business
DOIs
PublikationsstatusVeröffentlicht - 2001

Publikationsreihe

ReiheEI Working Papers / Europainstitut
Nummer40

WU Working Paper Reihe

  • EI Working Papers / Europainstitut

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