期刊名称：Discussion Papers in Economics / Department of Economics, University of Surrey
出版年度：2014
出版社：University of Surrey
摘要：Despite the modern origins of endogenous growth theory, we arguethat the ‘Idea for a Universal History with a Cosmopolitan Aim’ writtenby Immanuel Kant in 1784 provides an early and coherent exampleof such a theory. Kant’s endogenous growth mechanism is driven bythe inherent rivalry that exists between agents which increases effortand strengthens the accumulation of knowledge, which in turn is carriedthrough generations. In an exercise in rational reconstruction,we present a mathematical model of Kant’s mechanism. We use themodel to contribute to the contemporary policy debate as to whether“keeping up with the Joneses” leads to excessive effort
