The course provides students with an analytical framework for the study of international trade. It is divided into four main parts. The first examines both the predictions of the classical theory of trade (the Ricardian model and the Heckscher–Ohlin model) and the new trade models with imperfect competition, including the most recent developments based on firm‑level evidence. The second discusses the effects and determinants of the political economy of trade policy, including preferential trade agreements. The third part is dedicated to the analysis of migration flows, their characteristics, determinants, evolution and impacts. The final part focuses on the empirical analysis of international trade.
The course considers both theoretical contributions and recent empirical work, together with a discussion of the methodological issues relevant for measurement and estimation. By the end of the course, students will be able to understand the main determinants of international trade and migration flows, the characteristics and implications of trade‑policy measures, and to work effectively with trade and trade‑policy data.