This book analyzes spatial and temporal patterns of international trade from a geographical perspective. Trade is an important key to understanding the changing dynamics of economic spaces over time. However, studies by geographers are largely confined to case studies, whereas the spatial dimension is often missing from the approach of economists. This study highlights spatial patterns and commodity composition of global trade and the nature of relationship between trade and other economic attributes. A case study of the MERCOSUR trade block examines inter-regional and intra-regional trade flows. The book captures a comprehensive picture of the structure of international exchange by using ample maps and illustrations as supporting features. Many different methods are applied such as the location quotient to capture concentration and diversification of commodity composition, data reduction techniques such as factor analysis and regression models for relating the economic structures and trade patterns as well as residual mapping among others.

This book is a significant contribution to geographical, economical and social sciences research and very useful to graduate and post-graduate students as well as scientists of all related areas who have interest in exploring the changing dynamics of the global economy via trade flows. It provides a road map to further explore different dimensions of international trade and its role in understanding the transforming global economy.

Autorentext

Dr. Purva Yadav is an Assistant Professor of Economic Geography at the Centre for the Study of Regional Development (CSRD), School of Social Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi, India. Prior to joining JNU, she has taught in Miranda House, University of Delhi, and had also briefly worked in the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA). She has obtained her Masters degree in Geography from CSRD, JNU, New Delhi; M.Phil and Ph.D from the Department of Geography, Delhi School of Economics, University of Delhi, India. She has written on issues pertaining to trade, capital flows and transport geographies.

Inhalt

Foreword.- Preface.- Acknowledgement.- Chapter 1. Introduction.- Chapter 2. Volume and Growth of Trade: Merchandise and Services.- Chapter 3. Spatial Structure of Trade Flows.- Chapter 4. An Analysis of the Commodity Composition of International Trade.- Chapter 5. Output and Trade Relation.- Chapter 6. Regional Trade Blocks: A Case Study of Mercosur.- Chapter 7. Concluding Observations.- Annexure.