Economic growth theory
ECTS : 2
Lecturer in charge : Guillaume DAUDIN (https://gdaudin.github.io/ et https://scholar.google.fr/citations?user=G8eMBrEAAAAJ&hl=fr)
Language of instruction : French
Teaching hours : 18
Course content:
The aim of this course is to understand the key features of the growth and development process at the world level. To do so, we will introduce a number of theoretical models to develop an analytical framework of economic growth in historical perspective and across countries.The course will be taught in a "flipped classroom" method based on the manual by Jones and Vollrath
- W1 : Intro to economic growth (and mathematical tools)
- W2 : Solow model (1)
- W3 : Solow model (2)
- W4 : Empirical applications of the Solow model
- W5 : Economics of ideas
- W6 : Romer-Jones model
- W7 : Schumpeterian growth
- W8 : Growth and development (using the Romer-Jones model to understand differences in development)
- W9 : Social infrastructures and long-run economic performance
- W10 : Population and the origin of sustained economic growth
- W11 : Alternative theories of economic growth
- W12 : Natural resources and economic growth.
Skills to be acquired:
Students will learn a variety of formal ways of modelling growth to answer three questions :
- Why are we so rich and are they so poor?
- What is the engine of economic growth?
- How can countries go through growth miracles?.
Mandatory prerequisites
Basic knowledge of formal economics (undergraduate) and ability in mathematics (as would be expected from third year undergraduates in Economics).
Assessment:
- Class participation will count for 50% of the final grade. Each class will start with a quiz (50% of the class participation grade). Online and in-class participation are both taken into account.
- Final exam: 50% of the final gradeThe numerical grade distribution will dictate the final grade. The passing grade for a course is 10/20.
Class participation: Active class participation - this is what makes classes lively and instructive. Come on time and be prepared. Class participation is based on the quality of comments, not quantity. Exam policy: In the exam, students will not be allowed to bring any document (except if allowed by the lecturer). Unexcused absences from exams or failure to submit cases will result in zero grades in the calculation of numerical averages. Exams are collected at the end of examination periods.Weighting : 0.50
Bibliography, recommended reading:
Intensive reading of the textbook by Jones and Vollrath is mandatory for the course.
- JONES, C.I. & D. VOLLRATH (2024) Introduction to economic growth 4th edition; W. W. Norton and Company; Inc, New-York, London.
Here are some other possible readings. - ACEMOGLU, Daron. Introduction to Modern Economic Growth. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 2008 (advanced)
- BARRO, R. and SALA I Martin, X. (1995) Economic growth; McGraw-Hill. (advanced)
- EASTERLY, W. (2002) The Elusive Quest for Growth, MIT Press (non-technical).