Essays on the measurement and implications of trade liberalisation

Abstract

This thesis is an empirical analysis of the measurement and implications of trade liberalisation. Four core chapters cover the following areas: (i) the modelling of agricultural trade policy instruments; (ii) the determinants of services trade; and the economic consequences of trade liberalisation for (iii) the Irish economy and (iv) developing countries in the context of the Doha Round of world trade negotiations. Chapter 1 introduces the context for the thesis, presents the motivation for the topics addressed and outlines the structure of the remaining chapters. The primary methodology employed in this thesis is the Global Trade Analysis Project (GTAP) computable general equilibrium (CGE) model. Chapter 2 provides a detailed description of the standard GTAP model and its database. The structure of the model and database are presented, as are the assumptions that underpin the model framework and the construction of the database.