Communications and economic growth
Léonard Dudley
Over the past millennium, each of three centuries most rapid demographic growth in West coincided with diffusion a new communications technology. This paper examines hypothesis Harold Innis (1894–1952) that there is two-way feedback between such innovations and economic growth. First, detailed historical evidence studied. Second, Innis's ideas are translated into formal model. Finally, model simulated its predictions compared data. The results suggest technological explanation for long cycles period 1000–1975 puzzling productivity slowdown industrialized countries after 1975.
European Economic Review