Publications
Publications
- Journal of Economic Theory
Evolution and the Growth Process: Natural Selection of Entrepreneurial Traits
By: Stelios Michalopoulos and Oded Galor
Abstract
This research suggests that a Darwinian 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.
Keywords
Citation
Michalopoulos, Stelios, and Oded Galor. "Evolution and the Growth Process: Natural Selection of Entrepreneurial Traits." Journal of Economic Theory 147, no. 2 (March 2012): 759–780.