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Praiseworthiness and Endogenous Growth

Author

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  • David M. Levy
  • Dalibor Roháč

Abstract

This paper demonstrates that increasing returns to scale can be sustained when agents care about praiseworthiness of their conduct. Unlike the desire to attain approbation from external sources, the notion of praiseworthiness seems to have been neglected by contemporary economic literature. Yet the relevance of praiseworthiness as an internal motivational force was stressed by a number of classical economists. We construct an endogenous growth model in which agents derive utility not only from their consumption but also from praiseworthiness of their action. In such a setting, the motivation by praiseworthiness is able to generate positive and accelerating growth of output per labourer in steady state. The main implication of our model is that the existence of increasing returns depends critically on presence of sufficient approbation attributed to creativity. Furthermore, the presence or the absence of these rewards may be susceptible to explain the cross-sectional differences in growth rates, growth miracles and growth disasters.

Suggested Citation

  • David M. Levy & Dalibor Roháč, 2009. "Praiseworthiness and Endogenous Growth," Prague Economic Papers, Prague University of Economics and Business, vol. 2009(3), pages 220-234.
  • Handle: RePEc:prg:jnlpep:v:2009:y:2009:i:3:id:351:p:220-234
    DOI: 10.18267/j.pep.351
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    3. Aghion, Philippe & Howitt, Peter, 1992. "A Model of Growth through Creative Destruction," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 60(2), pages 323-351, March.
    4. Levy, David M., 1999. "Adam Smith's Katallactic Model of Gambling: Approbation from the Spectator," Journal of the History of Economic Thought, Cambridge University Press, vol. 21(1), pages 81-91, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Pavel Kuchař, 2012. "Dan Št’astný: The Economics of Economics," European Journal of Law and Economics, Springer, vol. 34(1), pages 3-7, August.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    endogenous growth; approbation; praiseworthiness; research and development;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • B12 - Schools of Economic Thought and Methodology - - History of Economic Thought through 1925 - - - Classical (includes Adam Smith)
    • N00 - Economic History - - General - - - General
    • O31 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Innovation and Invention: Processes and Incentives
    • O41 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity - - - One, Two, and Multisector Growth Models

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