Vol. 30, No. 2, Fall/Winter 1992- "The Pennsylvania Geographer"

PENNSYLVANIA IN THE INTERNATIONAL ECONOMY

Robert B. Begg

Department of Geography

Indiana University of Pennsylvania

Indiana, PA 15705

Abstract

Pennsylvania's place in the international economy of the next millennium may be good. In spite of a large loss of manufacturing employment, Pennsylvania does well in attracting foreign investment. It has particularly strong ties to the United Kingdom. If both direct and indirect employment effects are considered, Pennsylvania also ranks well in export generated employment. These statements are conditioned by two factors. First, across Pennsylvania there is a large east to west decline in economic wellbeing. The losses to Pennsylvania have been suffered in the west and the gains accrued in the east. Second, a decreasing commitment to human infrastructure could diminish the leads we now have.