2009/09 | LEM Working Paper Series | |
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The Multi-Network of International Trade: A Commodity-Specific Analysis |
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Matteo Barigozzi, Giorgio Fagiolo, Diego Garlaschelli |
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Keywords | ||
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Weighted directed networks; International trade network;
Multi-networks; Commodity-specific trade; Econophysics
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JEL Classifications | ||
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F10,D85
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Abstract | ||
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We study the topological properties of the multi-network of
commodity-specific trade relations among world countries over the 1992-2003
period, comparing them with those of the aggregate-trade network, known in the
literature as the international trade network (ITN). We show that link-weight
distributions of commodity-specific networks are extremely heterogeneous and
(quasi) log-normality of aggregate link-weight distribution is generated as a
sheer outcome of aggregation. Commodity-specific networks also display average
connectivity, clustering and centrality levels very different from their
aggregate counterpart. We also find that ITN complete connectivity is mainly
achieved through the presence of many weak links that keep commodity-specific
networks together, and that the correlation structure existing between
topological statistics within each single network is fairly robust and mimics
that of the aggregate network. Finally, we employ cross-commodity correlations
between link weights to build taxonomies of commodities. Our results suggest
that on the top of a relatively time-invariant ''intrinsic'' taxonomy (based on
inherent between-commodity similarities), the roles played by different
commodities in the ITN have become more and more dissimilar, possibly as the
result of an increased trade specialization.
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