An 'Austrian' Model of International Specialization

We develop a general equilibrium model of international trade in which the temporal structure of production is a key determinant of comparative advantage. Building on Böhm-Bawerk’s theory of capital, the model formalizes the idea that production processes with longer average periods of production (APPs) entail higher financing costs due to the time lag between input payments and revenue realization. We embed this insight into a multi-sector Ricardian framework with endogenous interest rates. Under autarky, countries with more patient consumers or more developed financial markets exhibit lower equilibrium interest rates and higher wage rates. With international trade, these countries typically gain a comparative advantage in sectors with longer APPs, though the model can also generate multiple equilibria and unconventional specialization patterns. We extend the framework to include trade costs (inclusive of shipment delays), global value chains, and international capital-market integration. Empirically, we present evidence showing that countries with more developed financial systems export disproportionately more in sectors with longer APPs, even after controlling for standard neoclassical and institutional determinants of comparative advantage.