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International Trade - Theory and Policy, 2010a

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w∧>PC∧>PS∧>r∧.<br />

The effect is initiated by changes in the output prices. These appear in the middle of the inequality. If<br />

output prices change by some percentage, ordered as above, then the wage rate paid to labor will rise by<br />

a larger percentage than the price of steel changes. The size of the effect is magnified relative to the cause.<br />

The rental rate changes by a smaller percentage than the price of steel changes. Its effect is magnified<br />

downward.<br />

Although this effect was derived only for the specific numerical values assumed in the example, it is<br />

possible to show, using more advanced methods, that the effect will arise for any output price changes<br />

that are made. Thus if the price of steel were to rise with no change in the price of clothing, the<br />

magnification effect would be<br />

r∧>PS∧>PC∧>w∧.<br />

This implies that the rental rate would rise by a greater percentage than the price of steel, while the wage<br />

rate would fall.<br />

The magnification effect for prices is a generalization of the Stolper-Samuelson theorem. The effect allows<br />

for changes in both output prices simultaneously <strong>and</strong> provides information about the magnitude of the<br />

effects. The Stolper-Samuelson theorem is a special case of the magnification effect in which one of the<br />

endowments is held fixed.<br />

Although the magnification effect is shown here under the special assumption of fixed factor proportions<br />

<strong>and</strong> for a particular set of parameter values, the result is much more general. It is possible, using calculus,<br />

to show that the effect is valid under any set of parameter values <strong>and</strong> in a more general variable<br />

proportions model.<br />

The magnification effect for prices can be used to determine the changes in real wages <strong>and</strong> real rents<br />

whenever prices change in the economy. These changes would occur as a country moves from autarky to<br />

free trade <strong>and</strong> when trade policies are implemented, removed, or modified.<br />

KEY TAKEAWAYS<br />

<br />

The magnification effect for prices shows that if the product prices change by particular percentages with<br />

one greater than the other, then the factor prices will change by percentages that are larger than the larger<br />

product price change <strong>and</strong> smaller than the smaller. It is in this sense that the factor price changes are<br />

magnified relative to the product price changes.<br />

Saylor URL: http://www.saylor.org/books<br />

Saylor.org<br />

209

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