Author
Philippe Aghion, Harvard University
Peter Howitt, Brown University
Description
This comprehensive introduction to economic growth presents the main facts and puzzles about growth, proposes simple methods and models needed to explain these facts, acquaints the reader with the most recent theoretical and empirical developments, and provides tools with which to analyze policy design. The treatment of growth theory is fully accessible to students with a background no more advanced than elementary calculus and probability theory; the reader need not master all the subtleties of dynamic programming and stochastic processes to learn what is essential about such issues as cross-country convergence, the effects of financial development on growth, and the consequences of globalization. The book, which grew out of courses taught by the authors at Harvard and Brown universities, can be used both by advanced undergraduate and graduate students, and as a reference for professional economists in government or international financial organizations.
The Economics of Growth first presents the main growth paradigms: the neoclassical model, the AK model, Romer's product variety model, and the Schumpeterian model. The text then builds on the main paradigms to shed light on the dynamic process of growth and development, discussing such topics as club convergence, directed technical change, the transition from Malthusian stagnation to sustained growth, general purpose technologies, and the recent debate over institutions versus human capital as the primary factor in cross-country income differences. Finally, the book focuses on growth policies—analyzing the effects of liberalizing market competition and entry, education policy, trade liberalization, environmental and resource constraints, and stabilization policy—and the methodology of growth policy design.
All chapters include literature reviews and problem sets. An appendix covers basic concepts of econometrics.
Table of Contents
PART I: BASIC PARADIGMS OF GROWTH THEORY
1. Neoclassical Growth Theory
2. The AK Model
3. Product Variety
4. The Schumpeterian Model
5. Capital, Innovation, and Growth Accounting
PART II: UNDERSTANDING THE GROWTH PROCESS
6. Finance and Growth
7. Technology Transfer and Cross-Country Convergence
8. Market Size and Directed Technical Change
9. General-Purpose Technologies
10.Stages of Growth
11.Institutions and Nonconvergence Traps
PART III: GROWTH POLICY
12.Fostering Competition and Entry
13.Investing in Education
14.Reducing Volatility and Risk
15.Liberalizing Trade
16.Preserving the Environment
17.Promoting Democracy
CONCLUSION
18.Looking Ahead: Culture and Development
Appendix: Basic Elements of Econometrics
References
Index
