Theories Of Economic Growth

This book provides an in-depth treatment of the overlapping generations model in economics incorporating production.

Neoclassical growth theory is the dominant perspective for explaining economic growth. At its core are four implicit assumptions: 1) economic output can become decoupled from energy consumption; 2) economic distribution is unrelated to growth; 3) large institutions are not important for growth; and 4) labor force structure is not important for growth. Drawing on a wide range of data from the economic history of the United States, this book tests the validity of these assumptions and finds no empirical support. Instead, connections are found between the growth in energy consumption and such disparate phenomena as economic redistribution, corporate employment concentration, and changing labor force structure. The integration of energy into an economic growth model has the potential to offer insight into the future effects of fossil fuel depletion on key macroeconomic indicators, which is already manifested in stalled or diminished growth and escalating debt in many national economies. This book argues for an alternative, biophysical perspective to the study of growth, and presents a set of "stylized facts" that such an approach must successfully explain. Aspects of biophysical analysis are combined with differential monetary analysis to arrive at a unique empirical methodology for investigating the elements and dependencies of the economic growth process.

Joseph Schumpeter (1883–1950) is one of the most fascinating and influential economists of the twentieth century, renowned for his brilliant and unorthodox insights into the nature of capitalism. His students include leading economists such as Paul Samuelson, Robert Solow and the former chairman of the Federal Reserve, Alan Greenspan. The Theory of Economic Development is one of Schumpeter's most important books and the one that made him famous. He poses a fundamental question: why does economic development proceed cyclically rather than evenly? Turning prevailing economic theory, which approached economics as equilibrium, on its head, Schumpeter argues it is because economics is constantly transformed by its own internal forces. These forces are the 'circular flow' of economic life; economic development, characterised by disruption and innovation; and finally, the levers that push and pull capitalism including credit, profit and interest. These are all manifested in the ‘business cycle’, one of Schumpeter's major contributions to understanding economics and now a perennial feature of virtually all economics and business curricula. He is also the first economist to place the entrepreneur at the heart of capitalism, anticipating subsequent fascination with entrepreneurship in popular business and management writing. Schumpeter also lays the groundwork for his subsequent, highly influential idea of the 'creative destruction' characteristic of radical and rapid economic change. The Theory of Economic Development remains a vital, magisterial account of economics and the nature of capitalism whose many insights remain highly relevant today. This Routledge Classics edition includes a new Introduction by Richard Swedberg.

"Papers ... of a seminar held at Dartmouth College in July and August of 1956." Includes bibliographical references. Mercantilist and physiocratic growth theory, by J.J. Spengler.--Adam Smith and David Ricardo on economic growth, by J.M. Letiche.--The theory of economic growth in the English classical school, by E. McKinley.--John Stuart Mill on economic development, by J.J. Spengler.--Toward a theory of economic growth: the neoclassical contribution, by J. Buttrick.--Theories of stages of economic growth, by B.F. Hoselitz.--Contemporary theorizing on economic growth, by H.J. Bruton.

This book develops a new theoretical framework to examine the issues of economic growth and development. Providing analysis of economic dynamics in a competitive economy under government intervention in infrastructure and income distribution, the book develops a unique analytical framework under the influence of traditional neoclassical growth theory. However, in a departure from neoclassical growth theory it examines both the Solow-Swan and the Ramsey growth models, introducing a utility function which treats consumer choices in ways critically different to previous approaches. Using practical examples and models the book demonstrates how this new direction can effectively analyze the key issues of economic growth, in a compact and comprehensive manner.