In this paper we investigate the causal effect of immigration on trade flows using Italian panel data at the province level. We exploit the exceptional characteristics of the Italian data (the fine geographical disaggregation, the very high number of countries of origin of immigrants, the high heterogeneity of social and economic characteristics of Italian provinces, and the absence of cultural or historical ties) and an empirical strategy based on the comparison of estimates at the NUTS-2 and NUTS-3 geographical level, on the use of a wide set of fixed effects, and on instrument based on immigrants' enclaves. The results are that immigrants have a significant positive effect on both exports and imports, much larger for the latter. The pro-trade effects of immigrants tend to decline in space, and even turn negative when large ethnic communities are located too far away from a specific province (via a trade-diversion effect). Finally, we give evidence of a substantial heterogeneity in the effects of immigrants: the impact on trade tends to be larger for immigrants coming from low-income countries, for earlier waves of immigrants and for the less advanced provinces of Southern Italy. AbstractIn this paper we investigate the causal effect of immigration on trade flows using Italian panel data at the province level. We exploit the exceptional characteristics of the Italian data (the fine geographical disaggregation, the very high number of countries of origin of immigrants, the high heterogeneity of social and economic characteristics of Italian provinces, and the absence of cultural or historical ties) and an empirical strategy based on the comparison of estimates at the NUTS-2 and NUTS-3 geographical level, on the use of a wide set of fixed effects, and on instrument based on immigrants' enclaves. The results are that immigrants have a significant positive effect on both exports and imports, much larger for the latter. The pro-trade effects of immigrants tend to decline in space, and even turn negative when large ethnic communities are located too far away from a specific province (via a trade-diversion effect). Finally, we give evidence of a substantial heterogeneity in the effects of immigrants: the impact on trade tends to be larger for immigrants coming from low-income countries, for earlier waves of immigrants and for the less advanced provinces of Southern Italy. JEL Classification

HighlightsThis paper explores the World Trade using the Network Analysis and introduces the reader to some of the techniques used to visualize, calculate and synthetically represent network trade data. The paper shows different visualizations of the network and describe its topological properties, producing and discussing some of the commonly used Network's statistics, and presenting some specific topics. All in all, this paper shows that Network Analysis is a useful tool to describe bilateral trade relations among countries when interdependence matters, and when trade relations are characterized by high dimensionality and strong heterogeneity. AbstractIn this paper we explore the BACI-CEPII database using Network Analysis. Starting from the visualization of the World Trade Network, we then define and describe the topology of the network, both in its binary version and in its weighted version, calculating and discussing some of the commonly used network's statistics. We finally discuss some specific topics that can be studied using Network Analysis and International Trade data, both at the aggregated and sectoral level. The analysis is done using multiple software (Stata, R, and Pajek). The scripts to replicate part of the analysis are included in the appendix, and can be used as an handson tutorial. Moreover,the World Trade Network local and global centrality measures, for the unweighted and the weighted version of the Network, calculated using the bilateral aggregate trade data for each country (178 in total) and each year (from 1995 to 2010,) can be downloaded from the CEPII webpage.JEL Classification: F10

HighlightsThis paper explores the World Trade using the Network Analysis and introduces the reader to some of the techniques used to visualize, calculate and synthetically represent network trade data. The paper shows different visualizations of the network and describe its topological properties, producing and discussing some of the commonly used Network's statistics, and presenting some specific topics. All in all, this paper shows that Network Analysis is a useful tool to describe bilateral trade relations among countries when interdependence matters, and when trade relations are characterized by high dimensionality and strong heterogeneity. AbstractIn this paper we explore the BACI-CEPII database using Network Analysis. Starting from the visualization of the World Trade Network, we then define and describe the topology of the network, both in its binary version and in its weighted version, calculating and discussing some of the commonly used network's statistics. We finally discuss some specific topics that can be studied using Network Analysis and International Trade data, both at the aggregated and sectoral level. The analysis is done using multiple software (Stata, R, and Pajek). The scripts to replicate part of the analysis are included in the appendix, and can be used as an handson tutorial. Moreover,the World Trade Network local and global centrality measures, for the unweighted and the weighted version of the Network, calculated using the bilateral aggregate trade data for each country (178 in total) and each year (from 1995 to 2010,) can be downloaded from the CEPII webpage.JEL Classification: F10

The Policy Research Working Paper Series disseminates the findings of work in progress to encourage the exchange of ideas about development issues. An objective of the series is to get the findings out quickly, even if the presentations are less than fully polished. The papers carry the names of the authors and should be cited accordingly. The findings, interpretations, and conclusions expressed in this paper are entirely those of the authors. They do not necessarily represent the views of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development/World Bank and its affiliated organizations, or those of the Executive Directors of the World Bank or the governments they represent.

SBOU'I' 40 years ago, in response to the Depression of the 1930s, Congress passed the Employment Act of 1946. Its sponsors believed that earlier failures to deal with massive worldwide unemployment had contributed significantly to the rise of National Socialism, which eventually culminated in World War II. This belief urged the act's sponsors to find a solution to the problem that had caused "such a great melting away of prosperity in such a short period of time."' The legislation followed on the heels of a revolution in macroeconomic theory. 'This new theory suggested that periodic booms and busts could be avoided if government pursued a policy of "compensatory finance." The new theory promised the success of centrally directed economic stabilization policy and provided the nucleus around which the proposed legislation was built, The bill that was initially proposed stir ed up considerable controversy. Some considered it "a great Magna Carta of government planning for full employmen!.'' 3 Others viewed it as ''utterly alien to America