Journal of Economic Literature
ISSN 0022-0515 (Print) | ISSN 2328-8175 (Online)
Inequality and Economic Growth: The Perspective of the New Growth Theories
Journal of Economic Literature
vol. 37,
no. 4, December 1999
(pp. 1615–1660)
Abstract
We analyze the relationship between inequality and economic growth from two directions. The first part of the survey examines the effect of inequality on growth, showing that when capital markets are imperfect, there is not necessarily a trade-off between equity and efficiency. It therefore provides an explanation for two recent empirical findings, namely, the negative impact of inequality and the positive effect of redistribution upon growth. The second part analyzes several mechanisms whereby growth may increase wage inequality, both across and within education cohorts. Technical change, and in particular the implementation of "General Purpose Technologies," stands as a crucial factor in explaining the recent upsurge in wage inequality.Citation
Aghion, Philippe, Eve Caroli, and Cecilia Garcia-Penalosa. 1999. "Inequality and Economic Growth: The Perspective of the New Growth Theories." Journal of Economic Literature, 37 (4): 1615–1660. DOI: 10.1257/jel.37.4.1615JEL Classification
- O11 Macroeconomic Analyses of Economic Development
- O41 One, Two, and Multisector Growth Models
- O15 Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration
- J31 Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials