363-0562-01L  Economics of Innovation and Growth

SemesterAutumn Semester 2018
LecturersM.‑C. Riekhof, H. Gersbach
Periodicityyearly recurring course
Language of instructionEnglish


AbstractOverview how the world has developed. Understanding the role of innovation and institutions for economic growth. Discussion of policies to foster innovation and growth.
Learning objectiveThere are three goals of the lecture. First, understanding how the world has developed over the last centuries and the proximate and fundamental causes of economic growth. Second, understanding and applying the basic models of economic growth. Third, discussion of policies to foster innovation and growth to reduce the large wealth differences in the world.
Content1. Introduction

2. Neoclassical Growth Theory

3. Innovations and Growth (New Growth Theory)

4. Growth Policy and Fundamental Causes for Growth
Lecture notesThe transparencies used in the lectures will be distributed to the participants.
LiteratureCore literature:

1.Acemoglu, D. (2009): Introduction to Modern Economic Growth. Princeton University Press, Cambridge MA.

2. Barro, R.J. and X. Sala-i-Martin (2004): Economic Growth. MIT Press.

3. Aghion P. and P. Howitt (1998): Endogenous Growth Theory. MIT Press.

4. Aghion P. and S. Durlauf (eds. 2005): Handbook of Economic Growth. Elsevier, chapter 6.


Additional literature:

6. Romer, D. (2001): Advanced Macroeconomics. McGraw-Hill, chapters 1 and 3.

5. Bretschger, L. (1999): Growth Theory and Sustainable Development. Edward Elgar.

7. Romer, P. (1990): Endogenous Technological Change, Journal of Political Economy, Vol. 98(5).

8. Aghion, P. and P. Howitt (1992):A Model of Endogenous Growth through Creative Destruction. Econometrica, Vol. 60(2).

9. Lucas, R. (1988): On the Mechanics of Economic Development, Journal of Monetary Economics, Vol. 22.

10. Rebelo, S. (1991): Long-Run Policy Analysis and Long-Run Growth. Journal of Political Economy, Vol. 99(3).

11. Piketty, T. (2014): Capital in the Tewnty-First Century. Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA.