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An Accounting Method for Economic Growth

Author

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  • Hongchun Zhao

    (Department of Economics, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA)

Abstract

As Chari et al. (2007) indicate, many growth theories explaining frictions in real economies are equivalent to a competitive economy, with some exogenous taxes. Using this idea, I developed an accounting method for identifying fundamental causes of economic growth. A two-sector neoclassical growth model with taxes is used as a prototype economy, and its equilibrium conditions define wedges. These wedges endogenously determine the long run growth rate, which is exogenous and not correlated with any other variables in a one-sector growth model. Furthermore, the importance of wedges in explaining the long-run growth rate can be evaluated through the use of a prototype economy. Applying this method to fifty countries reveals that, among seven wedges, two wedges that are respectively associated with the production function and the Euler equation for human capital are important in explaining economic growth.

Suggested Citation

  • Hongchun Zhao, 2012. "An Accounting Method for Economic Growth," Frontiers of Economics in China-Selected Publications from Chinese Universities, Higher Education Press, vol. 7(1), pages 44-69, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:fec:journl:v:7:y:2012:i:1:p:44-69
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    File URL: http://journal.hep.com.cn/fec/EN/10.3868/s060-001-012-0003-3
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    accounting method; economic growth; equivalence results; potential growth rate;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • E13 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - General Aggregative Models - - - Neoclassical
    • O11 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Macroeconomic Analyses of Economic Development
    • O41 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity - - - One, Two, and Multisector Growth Models
    • O47 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity - - - Empirical Studies of Economic Growth; Aggregate Productivity; Cross-Country Output Convergence

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