Analysis of the Great Divergence under a Unified Endogenous Growth Model

Kunting Chen
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Kunting Chen: Business School, Ningbo University

Annals of Economics and Finance, 2012, vol. 13, issue 2, 317-353

Abstract: Recently published research that attempts to explain the Great Divergence mainly focuses on geography, technological progress, and international trade. However, we do not believe these are its only - or even the most basic - causes. Instead, we submit that the 'social culture' of a country or a region is the most fundamental reason and incorporates these other causes, thereby providing a reasonable unified explanation. This paper is mainly based on a very simple two-sector benchmark model that simulates the economic characteristics of England and the Yangzi Delta of China during 1400-1850. It explores aspects of this transition period, and obtains many meaningful results that are consistent with Unified Growth theory, which is usually based on very complex models.

Keywords: The industrial revolution; The great divergence; Difference of culture and systems (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O10 O40 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2012
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:cuf:journl:y:2012:v:13:i:2:n:4:chen

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