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Who Wants To Be a Genius?

Author

Listed:
  • Fujii, Dmitri

    (Colegio Mexiquense.)

Abstract

En este artículo desarrollamos un modelo teórico para una economía dual, en la que los dos tipos de individuos (empresas) escogen entre convertirse en inventores y copiar las ideas desarrolladas por otros. Se analiza un caso específico: algunos individuos son genios y todos los genios se vuelven inventores mientras los individuos ordinarios se convierten en piratas. El modelo está basado en un trabajo previo de Grossman (2005), pero incluye dos nuevas aspectos, una etapa previa en la que los individuos toman la decisión de convertirse en genios (mediante un pago fijo) y un análisis de bienestar para la economía. La principal conclusión del artículo es que, a pesar de que una mayor proporción de genios en la economía representa un mayor bienestar, las políticas implementadas por las autoridades (en el caso de los derechos de propiedad, entre otros instrumentos) para crear incentivos que incremen esta proporción, depende de las condiciones iniciales de la economía (en términos de la proporción de genios). / In this paper we present a theoretical model of a dual economy, in which the two groups of individuals (firms) choose between becoming inventors and copying other individuals’ ideas. A particular case, in which some individuals are geniuses and all geniuses become inventors while all ordinary people become pirates, is analyzed. The model is based on Grossman (2005), but considers two main changes: a previous stage is revised (in which there is a fixed cost of becoming a genius) and a wealth analysis for the economy is presented. The main conclusion of the paper is that even when a higher proportion of geniuses represent a higher welfare for the society, the policy implemented by the authorities (in terms of intellectual property rights, among other instruments) to create incentives for such an increase depends on the initial conditions of the economy (in terms of the proportion of geniuses itself).

Suggested Citation

  • Fujii, Dmitri, 2009. "Who Wants To Be a Genius?," Panorama Económico, Escuela Superior de Economía, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, vol. 0(09), pages 7-54, segundo s.
    • Handle: RePEc:ipn:panora:v:v:y:2009:i:09:p:7-54
    as

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    File URL: http://yuss.me/revistas/panorama/pano2009v05n09a01p007_054.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • O31 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Innovation and Invention: Processes and Incentives
    • O34 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Intellectual Property and Intellectual Capital

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