ABSTRACT

Political scientists using an open economy approach to the politics of trade assume government policy reflects constituents’ preferences. Trade prompts specialization, which in turn alters domestic economic activity. The political analysis begins with an economic model identifying winners and losers associated with changes to trade policy. Political scientists then model how domestic actors gather around shared preferences, and then compete for control over policymaking. A fourth step centers on the state’s pursuit of its preferred trade policy when engaging other states. Finally, a fifth demonstrates how policy implementation feeds back into the domestic economy. Since analysts face choices concerning how best to model each step, the open economy approach to the politics of trade covers a variety of arguments. This chapter discusses those options — not just at each step, but also in the ways specific choices interact. Some choices start strongly, but complicate later choices; others may work better together.