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The complex inequality-innovation-public investment nexus: What we (don't) know, what we should, and what we have to do

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  • Alberto Botta

Abstract

In this paper, we deal with the complex relationship connecting inequality to innovation, and the ways through which public investment, in particular public participation to R&D initiatives, can affect it. We first stress that various different equilibria may exist in the inequality-innovation space. The positive relation that part of the economic theory often assumes to exist between (initially) rising inequality and improving innovation performances emerges as only one among many other far less virtuous dynamic trajectories. We then analyze the specific case of the US. We put emphasis on the possible perverse effects that the financialization of the US economy may have on the inequality-innovation nexus. We also note that the US developmental State – very often neglected by the economic literature – can effectively mitigate such undesirable outcomes. According to our interpretation of recent developments in the US economy, the widespread belief in the positive pro-innovation effects of fierce cutthroat remuneration systems may prove to be ungrounded.

Suggested Citation

  • Alberto Botta, 2015. "The complex inequality-innovation-public investment nexus: What we (don't) know, what we should, and what we have to do," Working Papers PKWP1506, Post Keynesian Economics Society (PKES).
    • Handle: RePEc:pke:wpaper:pkwp1506
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    File URL: https://www.postkeynesian.net/downloads/working-papers/PKWP1506_yvWexHV.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Antonelli, Cristiano & Gehringer, Agnieszka, 2013. "Innovation and Income Inequality," Department of Economics and Statistics Cognetti de Martiis LEI & BRICK - Laboratory of Economics of Innovation "Franco Momigliano", Bureau of Research in Innovation, Complexity and Knowledge, Collegio 201311, University of Turin.
    2. Verdier, Thierry & Acemoglu, Daron & Robinson, James A., 2012. "Can't We All Be More Like Scandinavians? Asymmetric Growth and Institutions in an Interdependent World," CEPR Discussion Papers 9113, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    3. Alessandro Caiani & Antoine Godin & Stefano Lucarelli, 2015. "Innovation and Finance: A Stock Flow Consistent Analysis of Great Surges of Development," Economic Complexity and Evolution, in: Andreas Pyka & John Foster (ed.), The Evolution of Economic and Innovation Systems, edition 127, pages 401-430, Springer.
    4. Botta, Alberto, 2015. "The complex inequality-innovation-public investment nexus," Greenwich Papers in Political Economy 14064, University of Greenwich, Greenwich Political Economy Research Centre.
    5. Castellacci, Fulvio & Natera, Jose Miguel, 2013. "The dynamics of national innovation systems: A panel cointegration analysis of the coevolution between innovative capability and absorptive capacity," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 42(3), pages 579-594.
    6. Akkermans, Dirk & Castaldi, Carolina & Los, Bart, 2009. "Do 'liberal market economies' really innovate more radically than 'coordinated market economies'?: Hall and Soskice reconsidered," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 38(1), pages 181-191, February.
    7. Philippe Aghion, 2002. "Schumpeterian Growth Theory and the Dynamics of Income Inequality," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 70(3), pages 855-882, May.
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    Cited by:

    1. Botta, Alberto & Caverzasi, Eugenio & Tori, Daniele, 2020. "The Macroeconomics Of Shadow Banking," Macroeconomic Dynamics, Cambridge University Press, vol. 24(1), pages 161-190, January.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Inequality; innovation; financialization; public investment; developmental state;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O15 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration
    • O16 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Financial Markets; Saving and Capital Investment; Corporate Finance and Governance
    • O31 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Innovation and Invention: Processes and Incentives
    • O38 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Government Policy

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