The Ricardian model is an economic theory that explains how countries can benefit from trade by specializing in the production of goods where they have a comparative advantage. This means that a country should focus on producing what it can make most efficiently compared to other goods, allowing it to trade for products that other countries produce better. In this model, David Ricardo, the economist who developed the theory in the early 19th century, emphasized that even if one country is more efficient in producing all goods, trade can still be beneficial. By specializing and trading, all countries can enjoy a greater variety of goods at lower prices.