International division of labor in simple words. International division of labor

• ? The concept of the international division of labor and the stages of its development
• ? Modern model of the international division of labor
• ? Factors influencing a country's participation in the international division of labor
• ? International production specialization
• ? Absolute and relative trading advantages
• ? Theory competitive advantages M. Porter
• ? International cooperation of production and its forms
• ? International production

Stages of development of the international division of labor

The international division of labor (ILD) is the separation and specialization of activities, suggesting that a single production process is dismembered and breaks up into relatively independent phases, which are concentrated in separate territories in different countries.

The international division of labor is carried out:

• between countries and regions of the world;
• between firms from different countries;
• within firms ( transnational corporations) between their constituent enterprises.

The international division of labor is formed spontaneously in intense competition in the world market. On its basis, regions and individual countries specialize in the production of certain types of products and services. As a result, opportunities arise to increase labor productivity and production efficiency, and save labor costs.

The main thing in the process of development of the international division of labor is that each participant must have an economic interest and benefit from their participation in it. This benefit may include:

• obtaining the difference between the international and domestic prices of exported goods and services;
• saving domestic costs due to the abandonment of domestically produced goods and their replacement with cheaper imports. The international division of labor has undergone three developments

First stage(XVI - first half of the XVIII century). It was characterized by the spontaneous nature of the development of the so-called natural (primary) processes, i.e. factors of production directly given by nature. Their use did not provide high level labor productivity and significant surpluses of products, so only what was not consumed domestically was exported.

Second phase(second half of the 18th - 19th centuries). The basis of the international division of labor began to be artificial (secondary) factors formed as a result of the use of the achievements of the industrial revolution.

Countries that have mastered machine production began to supply foreign market technically complex products, as well as cheap consumer goods. Those who did not succeed were content with trading in raw materials, agricultural products, and handicrafts.

Third stage(1917-1990). Characterized by the split of the world into warring political systems- socialist and capitalist. The economic development of the countries included in them, and, accordingly, the division of labor, was carried out in each separately, while there was a general tendency towards mutual penetration and integration national economies(in the socialist world it was restrained by political factors).

At the same time, the world remains divided into developed and developing countries. In the previous model of the international division of labor, the manufacturing industries were concentrated in the first, and the extractive and industrial sectors in the second. Agriculture, i.e. they were preserved as an agricultural and raw material appendage.

The new model of international division of labor currently emerging is based on the participation of all states, including developing ones, in the production of the finished product. However, within its framework, developed countries specialize in knowledge-intensive production (radio electronics, instrument making), while developing countries specialize in resource-intensive production that harms the environment. Moreover, some of them still maintain a monoculture raw material orientation.

Practice shows that the ability of any country to participate in the international division of labor, its place and role in it, depend on many factors. First of all, these include:

• 1) capacity of the country's domestic market. Large states (USA, Germany, etc.) have more opportunities to find the necessary factors of production and consumer goods there and, therefore, have less need to participate in the international division of labor and commodity exchange;
• 2) dynamics of national production. Under the influence of scientific and technical progress, its growth rate in the second half of the 20th century. accelerated significantly, causing even vast domestic markets to become cramped. This made it possible to direct an increasing part of products for export and expand the import of exotic goods, products of more High Quality than local ones, and thereby more fully satisfy their own needs;
• 3) progressiveness of the structure of the country's economy and the level of its scientific and technological development, which largely determines its international specialization. For example, basically only the USA, France, Germany and Russia produce complex military equipment(airplanes, tanks, rockets, space equipment, etc.);
• 4) availability of natural resources. So, a large number of oil reserves determine the international specialization of Iran, Iraq and other OPEC countries. Significant reserves of gold and diamonds in the South African Republic, gas in Russia, copper in Chile determine the direction of their participation in the international division of labor.

The high degree of provision of the country with only one type of resource (for example, oil, coffee, bananas, rubber, etc.) and the lack of others necessitates more active participation of the country in the international division of labor;

• 5) share of basic industries in the structure of the country’s economy(energy, mining, metallurgy, etc.). The higher it is, the less, as a rule, its inclusion in the system of international economic relations;
• 6) the degree of openness of the national economy, its readiness for external cooperation,
• 7) the ability to adapt to the conditions of international economic life and at the same time influence them in the desired direction.

The influence of these factors can be weakened to one degree or another, for example, by increasing the international competitiveness of local products or limiting exports.

At the lower stages of social development, the determining factors of the division of labor were natural, at present they are social. We also note a clear trend towards a further deepening of the international division of labor, and with it subject, detail and technological specialization.

International trade dates back to antiquity. It has developed over several millennia, using new technological advances and scientific discoveries. Gradually, the totality of connections between countries formed the world economy. At the same time, the phenomenon of international division of labor arose. Many economic theorists have put forward their hypotheses about how it is more profitable to trade with neighbors within a single world economy.

Main features

The modern world economy emerged thanks to the international division of labor and cooperation. Today, each country depends on its share of international trade, as well as on the movement of labor and capital. If a state is isolated, it deprives itself of innovation and credit. In this state, the country slows down in its development, and later may even experience an economic crisis.

The world economy and international trade form a multifaceted and complex system, which is influenced by many factors. The general economy is a set of national economies united by various connections. Trends in the development of the world economy are determined by the size and quality of production forces.

Difference with domestic economy

External economic relations resemble internal transactions. Their goals are the same: to be useful to consumers and generate income for producers. But there are significant differences between them, which are determined by state borders and national sovereignty. The stages of development of the world economy, century after century, erased these boundaries, but even in the modern deeply interconnected world, some of them continue to exist.

Firstly, the problems of the development of the world economy lie in the existence of many national currencies. With such diversity, calculations must be made in one of them, which forces the parties to convert. Secondly, national governments have the opportunity to impose their own restrictions on transactions with foreign partners, without applying them in the domestic market. These are import quotas, tariffs, voluntary export limits, and export subsidies. All of the above affects the economic development of the world economy.

Finally, thirdly, each country has different fiscal and monetary policies, which affect the rate of inflation growth, the level of employment, etc. If these measures are the same within the state, then international level they are radically different from each other. These differences affect the competitiveness of services and goods of one country in the market of another.

Origin

The globalization of the world economy originates in international trade, the history of which dates back several millennia. In the pre-industrial era, the main paradigm of economic development was the idea of ​​“sustainment consumption”. The dominant position was occupied natural economy. The usual reproduction of goods was widespread everywhere. This system existed in primitive, slave-owning and feudal societies. The ruling classes enriched themselves by coercing peasants and slaves.

New stages in the development of the world economy became possible after the Great Geographical Discoveries in the 15th–16th centuries. Simultaneously with these grandiose events, there was a gradual disintegration of feudal society. Great geographical discoveries became possible thanks to the development of the urban economy, commodity-money relations, science and technology. Europeans received a significant incentive to discover and explore new lands - gold. Trade became sea and ocean. New, previously unknown products and materials appeared in trade turnover. European capitalism, independent of the state, began to develop, which penetrated industry and accelerated the development of manufacturing production.

In the 16th century, the territory known to Europeans increased sixfold. Huge prospects for the development of trade appeared, and trade routes moved from the Atlantic to the Indian Ocean. Lost it previous value inland Mediterranean Sea. The ports on its shores (Venice, Genoa, etc.) fell into natural decline. At the same time, cities with access to the oceans rose: Seville, Lisbon, Antwerp, Amsterdam and London. The increase in gold flow from America caused a price revolution - prices increased by 200-500%. Such a leap allowed merchants and businessmen to quickly get rich. Even peasant speculators in food and raw materials got hold of money. At the same time, the purses of the nobility, whose dues were depreciating, became noticeably poorer.

The search for new markets began in the Old World. England turned out to be the leading economy. This state has taken the path of colonialism. The British for some time took possession of the monopoly right to trade with Russia through their Moscow company. Such contacts were the first examples of new economic connections between distant connections. It was in the 16th century that Russia became an important player in the international market. Its rare goods and resources were valued in the world economy.

Industrial Revolution

At the end of the 18th century Western Europe The Industrial Revolution began, which served as the impetus for the beginning of a new stage in the development of the world economy. Its most important feature was industrialization - the transition from an agrarian society to an industrial one. Thanks to the use of machines in production, new products have appeared on the market. Rapid economic growth began, which significantly widened the gap between advanced and backward countries. Urbanization occurred - a massive influx of population into cities.

All stages of the development of the world economy differed from each other in the level of development of communications. Thus, the Industrial Revolution gave humanity railways. The first steam locomotive appeared in 1804. TO end of the 19th century century, railways became the main overland communication network used in trade. At the same time, steamships appeared at sea. Modern vehicles were much faster than their predecessors. They began to be used to strengthen and increase economic ties.

The expanded enterprises were united into an economic complex. This new phenomenon in the economy made it possible to produce goods even faster and send them to the end consumer. Industrial capital acquired enormous importance. New projects were developed with these funds. The world economy and international trade acquired increasingly modern forms.

The next stage

At the beginning of the 20th century modern development The world economy has faced many contradictions. The main one was that economic relations between countries were based on military force, and not on capital. The rivalry between the great powers, which controlled much of the international market, led to enormous bloodshed. After two world wars and changes in previous trade relations, a confrontation emerged in the world economy between two systems - capitalism and socialism. The conflict was not only economic, but also ideological and political in nature.

The Cold War ended with the victory of capitalism - today 90% of world trade occurs in the capitalist economy. Any stage of development of the world economy was characterized by the emergence of new players in the market. So, in the 60s. In the 20th century, developing countries that did not belong to the usual West appeared in the world economic system. These were the new industrial economies of Southeast Asia: Singapore, Hong Kong, South Korea and Taiwan (they began to be called the four small dragons), as well as states Latin America(Argentina, Brazil, Mexico).

At the turn of the 20th and 21st centuries. Thanks to the development of new technologies and means of communication, the world economy has reached its maximum historical integrity. Dynamically developing economies integrated with each other. When the past main stages of development of the world economy were left behind, international capital and production acquired a global scale. Such an international economy is based on generally accepted principles of market relations.

The concept of international division of labor

Today, the international division of labor (ILD) is the most important basis for the connectedness of national economies, from which a single world economy grows. What is this phenomenon? MRI is the specialization of a particular country in a particular production. Each region has its own unique product that is not found in other places. This balance allows market participants to exchange goods (sell excess and buy missing).

The modern international division of labor covers services, knowledge, products of scientific, technical, industrial and other complexes. Thanks to MRI, production costs are reduced in all countries, and consumers receive maximum satisfaction of their needs. With the help of this division, the world economy has been progressing at an accelerated pace for many years. All states participate in this system, regardless of their economic development. This could be the USA, France, Kenya, Australia, Paraguay, Russia. In the world economy, each country has its own niche. If Americans export computers, then Kenyans export coffee, and Russia exports gas.

Types of MRI

According to the classical classification, the international division of labor has three main types. The first is a general MRI. This is a division between large areas of intangible and material production: industry, communications, transport, etc. In fact, this is specialization by industry. According to it, all countries of the world are divided into raw materials, industrial and agricultural.

The private division of labor is associated with subject specialization and covers industries and sub-sectors of large spheres. These are light and heavy industry, agriculture, cattle breeding (export production of finished services and products). Unit division of labor is a division within a specific enterprise or enterprises that make up a cyclical system for the production of goods, parts and components. This type of MRI is often implemented within large integrated multinational companies operating simultaneously in several countries.

Mercantilism

In the 16th century, the mercantilist theory appeared. Its application showed how international trade helps the development of the world economy. Mercantilists believed that their countries needed to limit imports, while trying to independently produce the missing goods. Exports were encouraged, which contributed to the influx of foreign exchange. With a positive trade balance the country received a lot of gold, which increased the size of capital and opened up prospects for significant economic growth.

The mercantile theory had a serious flaw. Its supporters believed that exporters, while making a profit, inflict losses on their competitors in the market, but this idea was not confirmed in practice. At the same time, mercantilism developed new useful economic tools, in particular protectionism. By pursuing such a policy, the state stood up to protect domestic producers, clearing niches for them in the market (duties, restrictions, etc. were introduced for foreign competitors).

Absolute Advantage Theory

The famous English economist Adam Smith was the first to say that the effective division of labor allows states to achieve serious progress in the development of production. The scientist wrote about this principle in 1776 in his book “An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations.” His considerations formed the basis of the theory of absolute advantage, which replaced the theory of mercantilism. Smith suggested simple formula- buy from neighbors those goods that are cheaper to purchase than to produce. By conducting such trade, both parties receive additional profit and save their own labor resources, which can be spent much more efficiently. These are the absolute advantages.

The theory described above has a noticeable disadvantage. A market built on this model, on the one hand, demonstrates the advantages of international trade, but at the same time does not leave room for countries that do not have absolute advantages over their neighbors.

Comparative Advantage

The flaw inherent in the theory of absolute advantage led to a rethinking of Adam Smith's material. In 1817, another economist classical school- David Ricardo - on the pages of the book “Principles political economy And taxation» offered his own market model. He recommended that countries import goods whose production costs are higher than those of the goods being exported. Later, Ricardo's followers proved the effectiveness of this model using many examples.

The theory of comparative advantage demonstrates how international trade helps the development of the world economy. Economic relations built according to the Ricardian principle bring profit to all parties to the transaction (although someone inevitably gets more).

The scientist in his study gave a textbook example. Cloth and wine are produced in England and Portugal, with production being cheaper in Portugal. Thus, the country on the Iberian Peninsula has an absolute advantage over its British rival. However, Ricardo, using mathematical calculations, proved that it is more profitable for the Portuguese to export wine, since the country’s costs for this product are noticeably lower. A similar rule applies to English cloth. Putting these circumstances together big picture, the scientist received a clear and profitable economic course. Portugal and England can exchange cloth and wine with the greatest benefit to each other.

Differences between countries in geographical location, climatic and natural conditions, raw materials led to the emergence of such a concept as the “international division of labor”. It denotes the specialization of each individual country in the production of certain types of products. The entire economy, from the global economy to a single enterprise or even an employee, is based on the division of labor.

No state today can exist in isolation. There is technology, services, information, etc. happening every day. Thanks to this, it is actively developing

The international division of labor is of the following types:

1. Industry specialization of individual countries.

2. Subject (types of products).

3. Technological specialization (individual parts, components).

The international division of labor involves not only a break, but also a unification of production processes. In other words, to improve process efficiency and generate greater profits, in some cases, separation or specialization is necessary. labor activity. However, mutual assistance and joint efforts on a global scale are often required. Based on this, the international division of labor is distinguished. And its forms can be of two types: cooperation and specialization.

International production cooperation involves people from different countries to improve and speed up the labor process for the production of any product. Signs of cooperation:

1. Long term.

2. Complexity. The production process affects sales activities,

3. Joint solution of all issues, from projects to sales markets.

International specialization implies the production of a certain type of product only in the territory of one or several countries (to satisfy both their own and the world's needs).

It is important to note that international specialization and cooperation significantly reduce capital intensity and reduce the production time of goods.

Whole line factors influence the international division of labor and the result that participating countries will receive:

1. The biggest impact on the global market is the emergence of new technologies in old industries. This is especially true for the production of information.

2. System of payments between countries.

3. Demand for products on the world market.

4. National factor. In the international division of labor they are associated with socio-economic and geographical features various countries.

5. Ecological problems. They force us to evaluate differently the goods produced with their help.

Among others, we can highlight the most significant socio-economic features of the international division of labor:

• structure and organization of national production;
• economic and technical development;
• historically established traditions of the country and its foreign economic relations;
• economic situation countries;
• legislation.

The international geographical division of labor is based on the presence of any mineral resources, labor resources in different countries. As a result, individual states begin to produce and exchange certain types of products and emerge at the international level.

International geographical division of labor can only arise when a country begins to produce certain type products in quantities significantly exceeding its own needs. In addition, these products must be cheap enough to make it profitable for other countries to buy them.

2. World division of labor

In addition to MRI, there is also the concept of the global division of labor (WDL). In essence, the term ART refers to the international division of labor on the scale of the entire civilized world, while MRT can also be considered at the regional level. The global division of labor is the objective basis of production, scientific, technical, trade and other cooperation between countries of the world. Currently, the interaction of states around the planet, economically and sometimes politically, is determined precisely by the degree and direction of their participation in ART. In fact, the global division of labor is the basis of the world economy.

The participation of ART is inevitable for any state, because it allows you to generate income through the difference between national and international costs of production. Law of value - driving force global division of labor in the conditions of commodity production, because goods form international value and are exchanged in proportions subject to the laws of the world market, including the law of value. The incentive to participate in the global division of labor is also to use its capabilities in solving global problems humanity through the joint efforts of all countries of the world: protection environment, solving the food problem, space exploration, etc.

The global division of labor complicates the complex system of world economic relations, where trade, although it now occupies leading place, gradually loses its meaning. The foreign economic sphere of the world economy has a complex structure and includes:

1. international trade;

2. international specialization and cooperation of production;

3. scientific and technical cooperation;

4. joint construction of enterprises and their subsequent operation on international terms;

5. international economic organizations, various types of services and more.

Under the influence of world production forces, an “additional” force is born, which is, as it were, free and operates simultaneously with material and material personal factors social production. The results of the activities of each link of the global production system are more actively used with the growth of cooperation participants, which leads to an increase in the economic power of the entire system.

For all its complexity and inconsistency, modern world in economic terms, it is a fairly efficiently functioning system, united by international socialized production, which has reached a relatively high level of development.

The international division of labor is a kind of integrator that was formed from individual elements into a global economic system. The international division of labor, being a function of the development of productive forces and production relations, has created objective prerequisites for the growing interconnection and interdependence of the economies of different countries, and expanded the limits of internationalization to global ones.

According to experts, the global division of labor will steadily deepen in the future. In the future production developed countries will focus on external consumers, and domestic demand will focus on imports.

The international division of labor is the division of countries according to geographic, climatic and natural characteristics, as well as differences in raw material availability. That is, this is the concentration of a certain country on the production of some product.

All countries interact with each other through the exchange of raw materials, materials, products, services, information, technologies and innovations.

The main factors for choosing the direction of production are:

Driving forces for the development of MRI

The main reasons for the international division of labor:

Classification of the international division of labor

Leading species

1. Industry specialization or general MRI - i.e. by areas and areas of production
2. Subject specialization or individual MRI - difference in the finished goods produced (for example: Germany produces cars, etc.);
3. Technological specialization or single MRI – production of individual components and parts. The most complex system leading to maximum interaction between countries.

MRI forms

1. International production specialization (SME)- this is an increase in the accumulation of production of homogeneous products or services, exceeding the country’s domestic demand. The main directions are:
   1. Production:
      • Intersectoral specialization;
      • Intra-industry specialization.
   2. Territorial.
2. International Production Cooperation (IPC)- this is the organization of mutually beneficial and coordinated production, in which some entities of the world economy participate. Its basis is the increasing level of improvement of the productive forces.

Circumstances influencing the international division of labor

Provisions affecting the MRI and the implications for countries involved:

• NTP. The development of the latest developments, the improvement of outdated methods - all this helps the world economy. STP of information has a special influence.
• Carrying out settlements between NTP participants.
• Demand for goods is at a global level.
• National aspect.
• Ecological problems. Based on them, countries are more loyal to available resources, which affects the price and quality of products.

These factors are sometimes associated with the economic nuances of certain countries and geographical differences.

Features include:

• The subject’s place in international economics;
• Degree of economic development and scientific and technical progress;
• Composition of world production and its structure;
• Foundations and relationships of the country;
• Legislation in relation to foreign economic relations.

If we talk about natural-geographical differences, then the location of the country, the coverage of its lands, population size, climate, zones, abundance of necessary resources, etc. are considered here.

Prominent representatives

Let's look at obvious examples of MRI implementation:

Japan is the main participant in the international division of labor. In terms of export indicators, it closes the top three, second only to the USA and Germany. She “captured the shelf” of the automotive industry.

Toyota, Nissan, Mitsubishi are famous brands that are in demand all over the world. Do not forget about its place in the import system: cotton, wool, bauxite, copper ore, oil, iron ore, coal.

Canada is also taking a piece of the automotive industry, but production is not as popular in the world. It mainly concentrates on the production of semi-finished products. Paper, wood (timber), crude oil, natural gas - all this is aimed at export, but mainly only to the USA.

The USA is a country that has been in first place for many years. The brightest representative of MRI. They have “captured” most of the world market in the fields of industry, agriculture, information and technological innovation.

Production of cars (Ford), aircraft and spacecraft, laser and computer technology of the most advanced type, tobacco products, food industry etc. – the United States of America specializes in all this.

It is worth remembering that the need for any resources and their limitations can bring the country to the forefront, because the “Earth’s reserves” are not limitless.