Sources of U.S. Economic Growth in a World of Ideas

S-Tier
Journal: American Economic Review
Year: 2002
Volume: 92
Issue: 1
Pages: 220-239

Score contribution per author:

8.043 = (α=2.01 / 1 authors) × 4.0x S-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

Rising educational attainment and research intensity in recent decades suggest that the U.S. economy is far from its steady state. This paper develops a model reconciling these facts with the stability of U.S. growth rates. In the model, long-run growth arises from the worldwide discovery of ideas, which depends on population growth. Nevertheless, constant growth can temporarily proceed at a faster rate, provided research intensity and educational attainment rise steadily over time. Growth accounting reveals that these factors explain 80 percent of recent U.S. growth, with less than 20 percent coming from world population growth. (JEL O40, E10)

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:aea:aecrev:v:92:y:2002:i:1:p:220-239
Journal Field
General
Author Count
1
Added to Database
2026-01-25