Objectifs

The aim of this course is to understand the key features of the growth and development process at the world level, both theoretically and empirically. The first part of the course will introduce a number of theoretical models to develop an analytical framework of economic growth in historical perspective and across countries. In the second part we will study empirically the fundamental sources of the vast income and growth differences across countries.

a) Goals of the first part of the Course [“Theory”]

- Get to know the facts of economic growth across countries and time

- Provide a rigorous theoretical framework to think about economic growth and development, including the study of

i) economic growth over the the long-run, and the transition of economies from stagnation to per capita income growth

ii) neoclassical growth theories and the contribution of different factors to economic growth and development

iii) endogenous growth theories that explain where technological progress comes from

b) Goals of the second part of the Course [“Topics”]

- Cover important topics at the frontier of current research to identify the sources of growth and development.

- Introduction to current empirical methods in applied economics.

The principal instructors are Dr Johannes Buggle [johannes.buggle@unil.ch] and Dr Seyhun Orcan Sakalli [Seyhunorcan.Sakalli@unil.ch].

The TA for the course is Andrea Berlanda [andrea.berlanda@unil.ch].

The presentation material is downloadable from the Moodle website of the course. The reading list for the second part of the course including the compulsory reading and the list of papers for the class presentation will be distributed after week 4. The exact format of the presentations (i.e. topics, schedule) will also be explained after week 4.

Contenus

PART I : Theory

Session 1, February 21 (Johannes)

- Introduction, Stylized Facts on Macro Development

- Stages of Growth: Malthusian Model

Session 2, February 28 (Seyhun)

- Unified Growth Theory

- The main components of UGT

Session 3, March 7 (Seyhun)

- Dynamic system and comparative development according to UGT

- Exercise Session for UGT

Session 4, March 14 (Seyhun)

- Neoclassical Growth Theory

- Solow and Ramsey-Caas-Koopmans

Session 5, March 21 (Johannes)

- Endogenous Growth: AK Model, Romer Model, Schumpeterian Growth

- Exercise Session and Q&A Mid-Term

Session 6, March 28: Mid-Term Exam

PART II : Topics

The reading list and the papers for the class presentation will be distributed after week 4.

Session 7, April 4: Institutions (Johannes)

Session 8, April 11: Culture (Seyhun)

Session 9, April 18: Geography & Natural Resources (Johannes)

Session 10, May 2: Human Capital & Innovation (Johannes)

Session 11, May 9: Trade and Migration (Seyhun)

Session 12, May 16: Inequality and Poverty (Seyhun)

Session 13, May 23: Conflict and War (Seyhun)

Session 14, May 30: Persistence & Historical Development (Johannes)

Références

PART I : Theory

- Galor, 2011, Unified Growth Theory

- Aghion & Howitt, 2009, The Economics of Growth

- Jones & Vollrath, 2013, Introduction to Economic Growth (Third Edition)

- Romer, 2011, Advanced Macroeconomics

PART II : Topics

The list of papers for the class presentation will be distributed after week 4.

Evaluation

1ère tentative

Examen:

Ecrit 2h00 heures

Documentation:

Non autorisée

Calculatrice:

Non autorisée

Evaluation:

- 1 Mid-term exam (theoretical part): 30%

- 1 Class presentation of a research paper: 30%

- 1 Final exam (empirical part): 30%

- Class participation: 10%

Documentation will not be allowed in all exams.

Rattrapage

Examen:

Ecrit 2h00 heures

Documentation:

Non autorisée

Calculatrice:

Non autorisée

Evaluation:

The make-up exam (both theoretical and empirical parts) stands alone: the previous results (midterm / class presentation / Final exam) will not be taken into account. Documentation will not be allowed in all exams.