The pure theory of international economics operates within a methodological framework of (static) equilibrium modelling. This sets a number of restrictions to its capability to explain empirical economic phenomena. A huge part of the scientific discourse takes place within this equilibrium framework. This is also true for new approaches like e.g. the New Economic Geography and models operating with market structures of oligopoly. This is why it is a courageous effort to try to cross the apparently unalterable borders set by equilibrium modelling. Most certainly this cannot be an end in itself. Especially the pure theory of international economics is still in many fields lacking adequate possibilities to deal with phenomena in space and time. These two dimensions have in common that they make the introduction of specific facets of movement, change, evolution - and therefore "mobility" - possible. Besides this "dynamic" component a point of view that includes space and time challenges us to find new possibilities to model heterogeneous agents. If these ideas are not so revolutionary in their content, the attempt to introduce them into a formal model is a big challenge. Moreover, it poses the question about the role of a theory of "international" economics in such a wider framework.
The book aims at creating the foundations for a broad framework of a "theory of mobility in space and time". Starting from a confrontation between mainstream international economics and empirical observation, the approach takes into account the heterogeneity of more or less mobile agents, forms of interaction that go beyond price interaction as well as the dimensions of space and time. It is emphasized that only an interdisciplinary approach that is open to new methods will be able to offer explanations for the spatial dynamics of our times. This approach goes beyond the traditional distinction of national versus international transactions. It is a completely new conceptual framework that makes the integration of traditional approaches as well as future theoretical developments possible.
