International Trade Theory and Policy
by Steven M. Suranovic

Trade 60-4

Trade 60-4

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The Magnification Effect for Quantities

The magnification effect for quantities is a more general version of the Rybczynski theorem. It allows for changes in both endowments simultaneously and allows a comparison of the magnitudes of the changes in endowments and outputs.

The simplest way to derive the magnification effect is with a numerical example.

Suppose the exogenous variables of the model take the following values for one country:

With these numbers which means that steel production is capital-intensive and clothing is labor-intensive.

The labor and capital constraints are,

Labor constraint:

Capital constraint:

We graph these on the adjacent Figure. The steeper red line is the labor constraint and the flatter blue line is the capital constraint. The output quantities on the PPF can be found by solving

the two constraint equations simultaneously.

A simple method to solve these equations follows.

First, multiply the second equation by (-2) to get,


Adding these two equations vertically yields,

which implies, . Plugging this into the first equation above (any equation will do) yields, . Simplifying we get, .

Thus, the solution to the two equations is: QC = 24 and QS = 24

Next suppose the capital endowment, K, increases to 150. This changes the capital constraint but leaves the labor constraint unchanged. The labor and capital constraints now are,

Labor constraint:

Capital constraint:

Follow the same procedure to solve for the outputs in the new full employment equilibrium.

First, multiply the second equation by (-2) to get,


Adding these two equations vertically yields,

which implies, . Plugging this into the first equation above (any equation will do) yields, . Simplifying we get, .

Thus the new solution is: QC = 6 and QS = 36.

The Rybczynski theorem says that if the capital endowment rises it will cause an increase in output of the capital-intensive good (in this case steel) and a decrease in output of the labor-intensive good (clothing). In this numerical example QS rises from 24 to 36, QC falls from 24 to 6.

The magnification effect for quantities ranks the percentage changes in endowments and the percentage changes in outputs. We'll denote the percentage change by using a ^ above the variable. (that is, = % change in X).

Percentage Changes in the Endowments and Outputs

The capital stock rises by 25%.

The quantity of steel rises by 50%.

The quantity of clothing falls by 75%.

The labor stock is unchanged.

The rank order of these changes is the Magnification Effect for Quantities,

The effect is initiated by changes in the endowments. If the endowments change by some percentages, ordered as above, then the quantity of the capital-intensive good (steel) will rise by a larger percentage than the capital stock change. The size of the effect is magnified relative to the cause.

The quantity of cloth (QC) changes by a smaller percentage than the smaller labor endowment change. Its effect is magnified downward.

Although this effect was derived only for the specific numerical values assumed in the example, it is possible to show, using more advanced methods, that the effect will arise for any endowment changes that are made. Thus if the labor endowment were to rise with no change in the capital endowment, the magnification effect would be,

This implies that the quantity of the labor-intensive good (clothing) would rise by a greater percentage than the quantity of labor, while the quantity of steel would fall.

The magnification effect for quantities is a generalization of the Rybczynski theorem. The effect allows for changes in both endowments simultaneously and provides information about the magnitude of the effects. The Rybczynski theorem is one special case of the magnification effect that assumes one of the endowments is held fixed.

Although the magnification effect is shown here under the special assumption of fixed factor proportions and for a particular set of parameter values, the result is much more general. It is possible, using calculus, to show that the effect is valid under any set of parameter values and in a more general variable proportions model.

International Trade Theory and Policy - Chapter 60-4: Last Updated on 7/31/06

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