EH.Net Abstracts in Economic History

                ABSTRACTS IN ECONOMIC HISTORY
                     (c) 2007 EH.Net
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Name: Jacob L. Weisdorf
Email: jacob.weisdorf at econ.ku.dk
Institution: University of Copenhagen, Department of Economics

Co-author: Holger Strulik
University of Hannover
Wirtschaftswissenschaftliche Fakultat
Konigsworther Platz 1
30167 Hannover, Germany

e-mail: strulik at vwl.uni-hannover.de

Title: The Simplest Unified Growth Theory

Internet Address of abstracted 
work:http://www.cepr.org/pubs/new-dps/dplist.asp?dpno=6528

http://www.wiwi.uni-hannover.de/Forschung/Diskussionspapiere/dp-375.pdf


By mail:
Department of Economics
University of Copenhagen
Studiestraede 6
DK-1455 Copenhagen

Language: English

Abstract:
This paper provides a unified growth theory, i.e. a model that 
explains the very long-run economic and demographic development path 
of industrialized economies, stretching from the pre-industrial era 
to the present day and beyond. Making strict use of Malthus's (1798) 
so-called preventive check hypothesis - that fertility rates vary 
inversely with the price of provisions - the current study offers a 
new and straightforward explanation for the demographic transition 
and the break with the Malthusian era. The current framework lends 
support to existing unified growth theories and is well in tune with 
historical evidence about structural transformation.

Bibliography: Strulik, Holger, and Jacob Weisdorf, "The Simplest 
Unified Growth Theory", CEPR Discussion Paper No 6528.

Subject: D
Geographical Area: 4
Country/Region: Western Europe
Time Period: 0

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