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Europe Chasing the American Frontier

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  • Gordon, Robert J.

Abstract

This paper is concerned with the gap between the economic performance of the United States compared to the main western European countries over the last two centuries. Various questions are addressed. First, why has the U. S. represented the frontier of economic performance for most of the last two centuries? Second, why did Europe not catch up steadily and converge to the U.S. level, as implied by many growth models? That is, why did Europe fall so far back beneath the frontier and take so long to catch up? Third, how do we interpret data showing that Europe has recently almost caught up with the U.S. in the level of output per hour (labor productivity) but remains significantly behind in output per capita? In other words, how could Europe be so productive yet so poor?

Suggested Citation

  • Gordon, Robert J., 2003. "Europe Chasing the American Frontier," Efficiency Series Papers 2003/07, University of Oviedo, Department of Economics, Oviedo Efficiency Group (OEG).
    • Handle: RePEc:oeg:wpaper:2003/07
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    File URL: https://www.unioviedo.es/oeg/ESP/esp_2003_07.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Ronald Schettkat & Joep Damen, 2004. "Demand Patterns and Employment Structures an Aggregate Analysis," DEMPATEM Working Papers wp11, AIAS, Amsterdam Institute for Advanced Labour Studies.

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