Workers, Machines, and Economic Growth

This paper analyzes a model of economic growth, with technological innovations that reduce labor requirements but raise capital requirements. The paper has two main results. The first is that such technological innovations are not everywhere adopted, but only in countries with high productivity. The second result is that technology adoption significantly amplifies differences in productivity between countries. This paper can, therefore, add to our understanding of large and persistent international differences in output per capita. The model also helps to explain other growth phenomena, like divergence or periods of rapid growth.