Growth, Automation and the Long Run Share of Labor

Dilip Mookherjee and Debraj Ray

No 14286, CEPR Discussion Papers from C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers

Abstract: We provide an argument for long-term automation and decline in the labor income share, driven by capital accumulation rather than technical progress or rising markups. We emphasize a fundamental asymmetry across physical and human capital. An individual can indefinitely replicate her claims on the former, but --- after a point --- her human endowment cannot be cloned and rescaled in the same way. Then ongoing capital accumulation gives rise to progressive automation, and the share of labor income converges to zero. The displacement of human labor is gradual, and real wages could rise indefinitely. The results extend to endogenous technical change.

Date: 2020-01
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-gro and nep-tid
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Related works:
Journal Article: Growth, Automation and the Long-Run Share of Labor (2022)
Working Paper: Growth, Automation, and the Long-Run Share of Labor (2020)
Working Paper: Growth, Automation and the Long Run Share of Labor (2020)
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