A EXPANSÃO DO COMÉRCIO MUNDIAL: IMPLICAÇÕES SOBRE A HIPÓTESE DE CONVERGÊNCIA

Abstract

Differentials in the rates of growth of income per capita among countries has been a permanent issue in the economic literature, particularly in those areas related to Economic Development and Economic Growth. Recently, empirical studies have shown a process of reduction on those differentials among developed countries. The analysis of this process, and of its theoretical and empirical foundations, namely of the Convergence Hypothesis (H-C), has given rise to an important research area. In analytical terms this analysis can be roughly classified into two approaches: The Appreciative and the Formal Theorizing Model. In this paper both approaches are considered. Adittionally a brief analysis of the literature and of the relationship between the expansion of world trade and the H-C is also made.