Abstract

ARROYO ABAD, Leticia  and  SANTOS-PAULINO, Amelia U. Trading development or developing trade? The Dominican Republic's trade, policies, and effects in historical perspective. Hist. Caribe [online]. 2013, vol.8, n.23, pp.209-239. ISSN 0122-8803.

The Dominican Republic's partaking in the global economy has fluctuated significantly since post-colonial times. This paper follows this country's journey in and out of the world markets since 1880s by analysing the role of the export sector within the economy and the impact on development. We are interested in whether the DR developed due to the expansion of trade or if actually trade hampered development. We find that the integration to the world economy has been costly, as the volatility of the terms of trade and capital flows increased the country's vulnerability. The implemented governmental policies introduced distortions to the economy and achieved few gains in terms of economic development. Export diversification arrived relatively late to the DR, and the effects on development have been divergent, as far as improving trade balance, promoting diversification, building human capital, and creating employment.

Keywords : trade; economic development.

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