What Do We Learn From Schumpeterian Growth Theory?

Posted by D. Daniel Sokol

Philippe Aghion (Harvard) Ufuk Akcigit (U Penn) and Peter Howitt (Brown) ask What Do We Learn From Schumpeterian Growth Theory?

ABSTRACT: Schumpeterian growth theory has “operationalized” SchumpeterÂ’’s notion of creative destruction by developing models based on this concept. These models shed light on several aspects of the growth process which could not be properly addressed by alternative theories. In this survey, we focus on four important aspects, namely: (i) the role of competition and market structure; (ii) firm dynamics; (iii) the relationship between growth and development with the notion of appropriate growth institutions; (iv) the emergence and impact of long-term technological waves. In each case Schumpeterian growth theory delivers predictions that distinguish it from other growth models and which can be tested using micro data.