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Capital formation and economic growth under central planning and transition: A theoretical and empirical analysis, ca. 1920–2008

Author

Listed:
  • Péter Földvári

    (Utrecht University, Department of History and Art History, Utrecht, Netherlands)

  • Bas van Leeuwen

    (Utrecht University, Department of History and Art History, and at the International Institute of Social History, Utrecht, Netherlands)

  • Dmitry Didenko

    (The state corporation (Bank for Development and Foreign Economic Affairs) (Vnesheconombank), Moscow, Russia)

Abstract

According to the consensus view, it was primarily physical capital accumulation that drove economic growth during the early years of state socialism. Growth models incorporating both human and physical capital accumulation led to the conclusion that a high physical/human capital ratio can cause a lower economic growth in the long run, hence offering an explanation for the failure of socialist economies. In this paper, we show theoretically and empirically that according to the logic of the socialist planner, it was optimal to achieve a higher physical to human capital ratio in socialist countries than in the West. Using a VAR analysis, we find empirical confirmation that within the Material Product System of national accounting, the relative dominance of investment in physical capital accumulation relative to human capital was indeed more efficient than under the system of national accounts.

Suggested Citation

  • Péter Földvári & Bas van Leeuwen & Dmitry Didenko, 2015. "Capital formation and economic growth under central planning and transition: A theoretical and empirical analysis, ca. 1920–2008," Acta Oeconomica, Akadémiai Kiadó, Hungary, vol. 65(1), pages 27-50, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:aka:aoecon:v:65:y:2015:i:1:p:27-50
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Bas van Leeuwen & Peter Földvári, 2013. "Capital Accumulation and Growth in Central Europe, 1920-2006," Eastern European Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 51(5), pages 69-93, September.
    2. Dmitry Didenko & Péter Földvári & Bas van Leeuwen, 2013. "Inspiration and Perspiration Factors in Economic Growth: The Former Soviet Union Area versus China (ca. 1920-2010)," Global COE Hi-Stat Discussion Paper Series gd12-283, Institute of Economic Research, Hitotsubashi University.
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    7. B. Leeuwen & P. Földvári, 2011. "Capital accumulation and growth in Hungary, 1924–2006," Acta Oeconomica, Akadémiai Kiadó, Hungary, vol. 61(2), pages 143-164, June.
    8. Bas Van Leeuwen & Peter Foldvari, 2008. "Human Capital and Economic Growth in Asia 1890–2000: A Time‐series Analysis," Asian Economic Journal, East Asian Economic Association, vol. 22(3), pages 225-240, September.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Central planning; capital accumulation; human capital; Soviet Union; national accounts;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • E01 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - General - - - Measurement and Data on National Income and Product Accounts and Wealth; Environmental Accounts
    • E22 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment - - - Investment; Capital; Intangible Capital; Capacity
    • O11 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Macroeconomic Analyses of Economic Development
    • O21 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Development Planning and Policy - - - Planning Models; Planning Policy

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