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A Generalized Steady-State Growth Theorem

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  • Irmen, Andreas

Abstract

Is there an economic justification for why technical change is by assumption labor-augmenting in dynamic macroeconomics? The literature on the endogenous choice of capital- and labor-augmenting technical change finds that technical change is purely labor-augmenting in steady state. The present paper shows that this finding is mainly an artifact of the underlying mathematical models. To make this point, Uzawa's steady-state growth theorem is generalized to a neoclassical economy that, besides consumption and capital accumulation, uses current output to create technical progress or to manufacture intermediates. The generalized steady-state growth theorem is shown to encompass four models of endogenous capital- and labor-augmenting technical change and the typical model of the induced innovations literature of the 1960s.

Suggested Citation

  • Irmen, Andreas, 2018. "A Generalized Steady-State Growth Theorem," Macroeconomic Dynamics, Cambridge University Press, vol. 22(4), pages 779-804, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:cup:macdyn:v:22:y:2018:i:04:p:779-804_00
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Robert M. Solow, 1956. "A Contribution to the Theory of Economic Growth," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 70(1), pages 65-94.
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    Cited by:

    1. Andreas Irmen, 2021. "Automation, growth, and factor shares in the era of population aging," Journal of Economic Growth, Springer, vol. 26(4), pages 415-453, December.
    2. Daniele Tavani & Luca Zamparelli, 2017. "Endogenous Technical Change In Alternative Theories Of Growth And Distribution," Journal of Economic Surveys, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(5), pages 1272-1303, December.
    3. Li, Defu & Bental, Benjamin & Huang, Jiuli, 2016. "Stationary Growth and the Impossibility of Capital Efficiency Gains," MPRA Paper 71516, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    4. Andreas Irmen & Amer Tabakovic, 2016. "Factor Income Distribution and Endogenous Economic Growth - When Piketty meets Romer -," DEM Discussion Paper Series 16-18, Department of Economics at the University of Luxembourg.
    5. Growiec, Jakub & McAdam, Peter & Mućk, Jakub, 2018. "Endogenous labor share cycles: Theory and evidence," Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control, Elsevier, vol. 87(C), pages 74-93.
    6. Andreas Irmen, 2013. "Adjustment costs in a variant of Uzawa's steady-state growth theorem," Economics Bulletin, AccessEcon, vol. 33(4), pages 2860-2873.
    7. Andreas Irmen & Amer Tabakovic, 2020. "Factor Income Distribution And Endogenous Economic Growth: Piketty Meets Romer," Economic Inquiry, Western Economic Association International, vol. 58(3), pages 1342-1361, July.
    8. Andreas Irmen, 2017. "Capital‐ And Labor‐Saving Technical Change In An Aging Economy," International Economic Review, Department of Economics, University of Pennsylvania and Osaka University Institute of Social and Economic Research Association, vol. 58(1), pages 261-285, February.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • E10 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - General Aggregative Models - - - General
    • O10 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - General
    • O40 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity - - - General

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