The correct answer is (b) Heckscher Ohlin theory of comparative advantage. Wassily Leontief used input-output tables to test the Heckscher-Ohlin theory of comparative advantage, specifically in the context of international trade. Let’s explore why this answer is correct and then explain why the other options are not accurate descriptions of Leontief’s research.

b. Heckscher Ohlin theory of comparative advantage:

Wassily Leontief’s work is most famous for challenging the predictions of the Heckscher-Ohlin theory of comparative advantage. The Heckscher-Ohlin theory, named after economists Eli Heckscher and Bertil Ohlin, suggests that countries should export products that use their abundant factor of production relatively intensively and import products that use their scarce factor of production relatively intensively.

In other words, it predicts that a capital-abundant country should export capital-intensive goods and labor-abundant countries should export labor-intensive goods.

Leontief conducted empirical research by analyzing the United States’ international trade patterns and comparing them to the predictions of the Heckscher-Ohlin theory. He used input-output tables, which provide a detailed breakdown of how different industries use various inputs (such as labor and capital) to produce their goods and services.

His findings, known as the Leontief Paradox, challenged the Heckscher-Ohlin theory’s predictions. Leontief found that the United States, a capital-abundant country, was actually exporting more labor-intensive goods and importing capital-intensive goods, which contradicted the theory’s expectations.

Now, let’s examine why the other options are not accurate descriptions of Leontief’s research:

a. Ricardian theory of comparative advantage:

Wassily Leontief’s research was not primarily focused on testing the Ricardian theory of comparative advantage, which is based on the idea of differences in technology and productivity across countries as the source of comparative advantage.

The Ricardian theory, developed by David Ricardo, emphasizes differences in opportunity costs between countries as a driver of trade. Leontief’s work specifically targeted the Heckscher-Ohlin theory, which is different in its focus and predictions.

c. Linder theory of overlapping demand:

Leontief’s research was also not centered on testing the Linder theory of overlapping demand. The Linder theory, proposed by economist Staffan Linder, suggests that countries with similar income levels tend to have overlapping or similar patterns of consumer demand.

This theory relates to trade patterns based on the similarity of consumer preferences rather than differences in factor endowments, which is the focus of the Heckscher-Ohlin theory and Leontief’s research.

d. All of the above:

The answer “all of the above” is not correct because Leontief’s research specifically aimed to test the Heckscher-Ohlin theory of comparative advantage. While his work did have implications for international trade theory and provided insights into the broader field of trade economics, it was not primarily focused on testing the Ricardian theory or the Linder theory.

Leontief’s findings challenged the Heckscher-Ohlin theory but did not necessarily encompass all theories of comparative advantage in international trade.

In summary, Wassily Leontief’s use of input-output tables was specifically to test the Heckscher-Ohlin theory of comparative advantage in the context of international trade.

His research, known as the Leontief Paradox, challenged the predictions of this theory and had significant implications for the field of trade economics. It’s important to recognize the specific focus and findings of his work in the context of trade theory.