Barriers to Riches

Author/creator Parente, Stephen L. Author
Other author Prescott, Edward C. Author
Format Electronic
Publication InfoCambridge : MIT Press
Description184 p. ill 08.000 x 05.375 in.
Supplemental ContentFull text available from Ebook Central - Academic Complete
Supplemental ContentFull text available from MIT Press Direct to Open Backfile HSS Monographs
Subjects

SeriesWalras-Pareto Lectures
Summary Annotation <p>Why isn't the whole world as rich as the United States? Conventional views holds that differences in the share of output invested by countries account for this disparity. Not so, say Stephen Parente and Edward Prescott. In Barriers to Riches, Parente and Prescott argue that differences in Total Factor Productivity (TFP) explain this phenomenon. These differences exist because some countries erect barriers to the efficient use of readily available technology. The purpose of these barriers is to protect industry insiders with vested interests in current production processes from outside competition. Were this protection stopped, rapid TFP growth would follow in the poor countries, and the whole world would soon be rich.Barriers to Riches reflects a decade of research by the authors on this question. Like other books on the subject, it makes use of historical examples and industry studies to illuminate potential explanations for income differences. Unlike these other books, however, it uses aggregate data and general equilibrium models to evaluate the plausibility of alternative explanations. The result of this approach is the most complete and coherent treatment of the subject to date.</p>
Access restrictionAvailable only to authorized users.
Technical detailsMode of access: World Wide Web
Genre/formElectronic books.
LCCN 00025414
ISBN9780262161930
ISBN0262161931 (Trade Cloth) Active Record
Standard identifier# 9780262161930
Stock number00015994