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Evolution and the Growth Process: Natural Selection of Entrepreneurial Traits


Oded Galor


Brown University - Department of Economics; Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR); Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) - School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences, Department of Economics

Stelios Michalopoulos


Brown University - Department of Economics; National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)
May 2011

CEPR Discussion Paper No. DP8377

Abstract:     
This research suggests that the evolution of entrepreneurial spirit played a significant role in the process of economic development and the dynamics of inequality within and across societies. The study argues that entrepreneurial spirit evolved non-monotonically in the course of human history. In early stages of development, risk-tolerant, growth promoting traits generated an evolutionary advantage and their increased representation accelerated the pace of technological progress and the process of economic development. In mature stages of development, however, risk-averse traits gained an evolutionary advantage, diminishing the growth potential of advanced economies and contributing to convergence in economic growth across countries.

Number of Pages in PDF File: 31

Keywords: Evolution, Growth, Natural Selection, Risk Aversion, Technological Progress

JEL Classification: J11, J13, O11, O14, O33, O40

working papers series


Date posted: May 19, 2011  

Suggested Citation

Galor, Oded and Michalopoulos, Stelios, Evolution and the Growth Process: Natural Selection of Entrepreneurial Traits (May 2011). CEPR Discussion Paper No. DP8377. Available at SSRN: http://ssrn.com/abstract=1846259

Contact Information

Oded Galor (Contact Author)
Brown University - Department of Economics ( email )
64 Waterman Street
Providence, RI 02912
United States
401-863-2117 (Phone)
401-863-1970 (Fax)
HOME PAGE: http://www.econ.brown.edu/fac/Oded_Galor/
Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR)
77 Bastwick Street
London, EC1V 3PZ
United Kingdom
HOME PAGE: http://www.econ.brown.edu/fac/Oded_Galor/
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) - School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences, Department of Economics ( email )
50 Memorial Drive
E52-391
Cambridge, MA 02142
United States
Stelios Michalopoulos
Brown University - Department of Economics ( email )
64 Waterman Street
Providence, RI 02912
United States
HOME PAGE: http://https://sites.google.com/site/steliosecon/
National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) ( email )
1050 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02138
United States
Feedback to SSRN (Beta)


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