The new growth theory: some intellectual growth accounting

Nicolai Foss ()

Journal of Economic Methodology, 1998, vol. 5, issue 2, 223-246

Abstract: This paper discusses the reasons for the success of the new growth theory. Given that the NGT does not appear to say much new about empirical reality, that its essential ideas have been known for a long time, and that it does not really make contact with a large literature on institutions and economic change, its strong success may arguably be seen as surprising. Or, at least, its success may appear peculiar to Lakatosian methodologists, and others who emphasize notions such as 'novel facts'. The reason for the success of the NGT is argued to lie in its constituting a case of strong heuristic progress: it brought growth through knowledge accumulation within the confines of neoclassical economics, and thus demonstrated the continued viability of this research tradition.

Keywords: Growth theory; scientific progress; Lakatos (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 1998
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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DOI: 10.1080/13501789800000014

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