Harvard. Final Exams for International Economic Relations. Haberler and Harris, 1936-37

 

 

Reading lists for Harvard’s International Economic Relations two semester sequence for the academic year 1939-40 taught by Gottfried Haberler, Seymour Harris, and Wassily Leontief have been transcribed and posted earlier.  For the 1936-37 course I have only found the reading period assignments and the final exams for both semesters. 

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Course Enrollment

[Economics] 43a ¹hf. (formerly 9a). Associate Professors Haberler and Harris, and other members of the department.—International Economic Relations, I. Theory of International Trade.

Total 70: 4 Graduates, 48 Seniors, 11 Juniors, 3 Sophomores, 4 Others.

 

[Economics] 43b²hf. (formerly 9a). Associate Professors Haberler and Harris, and other members of the department.—International Economic Relations, II. Commercial Policy.

Total 62: 5 Graduates, 45 Seniors, 5 Juniors, 3 Sophomores, 4 Others.

 

Source:  Harvard University. Report of the President of Harvard College, 1936-37, p. 92.

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Reading Period First Semester
Economics 43a

Read one from each group:

1. Marshall, Money, Credit and Commerce, pp. 98-190.
   Ohlin, Interregional and International Trade, pp. 1-138.
2. Graham, Exchanges, Prices and Production in Hyper-Inflation Germany, pp. 97-238.

Reading Period Second Semester
Economics 43b

Read one of the following:

1. Rope, German Commercial Policy
2. Iverson, International Capital Movements, pp. 1-301 and pp. 454-512.
3. World Trade Barriers in Relation to Agriculture
4. a. Haight, French Import Quotas and
   b. Beverage, Tariffs, the Case Examined Chs. 1 thru 10.

Source:  Harvard University Archives. Syllabi, course outlines and reading lists in Economics, 1895-2003. HUC 8522.2.1) Box 2, Folder “Economics, 1936-37”.

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1936-37
HARVARD UNIVERSITY
ECONOMICS 43a

Answer one question from Group I, one question from Group II, and two questions from Group III.

Group I

1. What use does Marshall make of the relation of demand and supply in international trade?
2. What is the difference, if any, between Ohlin’s and the Classical approach?

Group II

1. What is the meaning of the “comparative cost doctrine” if there are not two, but many export and import goods
   1. with constant cost in all industries
   2. with increasing cost in all industries
   3. in terms of opportunity cost?
2. The market condition of demand, supply, price and quantity for a particular commodity in two countries A and B is given by this diagram.
   
   1. Suppose trade is opened between the two countries. What will be the influence on the price, quantities produced and consumed in both countries and how much will be exported from A to B, assuming that there is no transportation cost involved.
      Answer in words and show graphically.
   2. After trade has been opened, a duty is imposed in B whose height (on this diagram) is measured by a vertical distance of, say, one half inch. What will be its influence on prices and quantities produced, consumed and traded between A and B?
      Answer in words and sketch graphically.

Group III

1. Assume you calculate the balance of international payments for a country during a particular year. The result is the following:

	Net debits	Net credits
Merchandise and Services	200
Tourist expenditures	100
Long-term capital	100
Short-term capital		200
Interest, Dividends		150
Gold movements	50	….
Total	450	350

a) Enumerate a few possible explanations of the discrepancy between credits and debits.
b) In a recent book by J. E. Meade, Economic Analysis and Policy, you find the following statement: “If all the items in the Balance of Payments are properly and completely recorded, the total of all the items on the receipt side must be equal to the total of all the items on the payments side; the Balance of Payments must balance” (p. 216). Give your comments on this statement.
c) How can the above statement be reconciled with the statement frequently found that “the balance of payment is in disequilibrium?”

2. Discuss the effects of exchange depreciation upon prices.
3. Is the breakdown of the gold standard to be associated primarily with internal developments or with such external factors as large capital movements? Discuss.

Mid-Year.  1937.

 

Source:  Harvard University Archives. Harvard University. Examination Papers (HUC 7000.28 vol. 79). Papers Printed for Final Examinations: History, History of Religions, …, Economics, …, Military Science, Naval Science. January-June, 1937.

 

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1936-37
HARVARD UNIVERSITY
ECONOMICS 43b

Answer THREE of the first five questions, and ONE of the questions 6 to 9.

1. When did the United States adopt the principle of the unconditional most-favored-nation treatment? Discuss the comparative advantages and disadvantages of the conditional and unconditional most-favored-nation clause.
2. Discuss the differences and similarities between quotas and duties and the comparative merits of the two systems as methods for the restriction of imports and protection of home industries.
3. Suppose an industry subject to decreasing cost; if production could be increased, costs per unit of output would fall. Production can, however, not be increased, because of foreign competition. Discuss whether and when in such circumstances an import duty can be justified on economic grounds.
4. Discuss the mechanism of capital movements or reparation payments under a gold and under a paper standard. How do you account for wide difference of opinion among authorities concerning the practicability of large transfers of capital or reparations? Have recent discussions added anything new to the theory of capital movements? In answering, relate your discussion as much as possible to a concrete experience.
5. Comment on one of the following:
   1. The international position of the United States in the thirties;
   2. The international position of Great Britain in the thirties;
   3. The international position of Great Britain at the end of the nineteenth century.In giving your answer, make some practical suggestions for attaining international equilibrium.
6. Discuss (1) Germany’s recent commercial policies or (2) the operation and effects of clearing agreements.
7. Can protection mitigate unemployment? (Beveridge.)
8. Discuss briefly Iverson’s criticism of the classical approach towards capital movements, and comment on Iverson’s own contributions.
9. What has the effect of trade barriers been upon trade in agricultural commodities and upon prices of these commodities? Relate your answers to the policies of one country.

Final. 1937.

Source:  Harvard University Archives. Harvard University. Examination Papers (HUC 7000.28 vol. 79). Papers Printed for Final Examinations: History, History of Religions, …, Economics, …, Military Science, Naval Science. January-June, 1937.

Image Source:  Harvard Class Album 1942.