In this course I focus on the main questions of economic growth 1) what are the reasons for differences in the level of incomes and growth rates across countries? 2) what are the sources of long-term growth? The course covers neoclassical growth models, endogenous growth theory and unified growth theory and specialized topics, such as the models of catch-up growth, openness and growth, fundamental factors (geography, culture, institutions and history) of growth
This course summarizes recent theoretical and empirical evidence about the influence of deeply rooted factors (geography, cultural determinants, political and economic institutions, historical factors) on a modern variation of incomes per capita across countries. The first part of the course provides an overview of the unified growth theories that are helpful for our understanding of the transition to modern economic growth in the world economy. The second part of the course discusses the role of deep factors and mechanisms that explain the Great Divergence, the growing differences in living standards between rich and poor countries. The final part of the course shows how political and economic institutions effects modern comparative development and provides explanations for the determinants of institutional formation in the society. The course is based on rich recent literature in economics, history and political science that challenge our understanding of the modern comparative development of nations.
The course is based on the recent advancement in social sciences exploring the evolution of human societies from the appereance of homo sapience till the modern information age. The first module of the course focuses on the evolution of Sapience and main events of prehistoric times. The second module of the course focuses on the causes and consequences of the Neolithic Revolution. The third module of the course is about the formation of states and civil society. Following modules will focus on the sources of preindustrial growth, industrial, educational and demographic revolution and institutional changes.
I started this course in Skladnoy Girafe Primary School on September 2024.