Governance and Growth: Technology Absorption and Economic Development

Authors

Johnathan Christensen, Brigham Young University
Dr. Daniel L. Nielson, Brigham Young University

Keywords

endogeneous growth theory, technology absorption, economic development, governance

College

Family, Home, and Social Sciences

Department

Political Science

Abstract

The original purpose of my research project was to apply a business theory to international trade to explain why the exports of the Asian Tigers were so successful. However, as I began writing on this topic during my capstone seminar, I learned of a striking empirical finding showing that while the growth rates of most poor countries have not caught up with rich countries over the last fifty years, the fastest growing economies always come from a subset among poor countries. Upon learning this, I soon realized that I wanted to expand my research question to explain the difference in the growth rates of GDP per capita among poor countries. What enables some poor countries to close the gap with the rich, while others remain poor? This was the question my research sought to resolve.

Recommended Citation

Christensen, Johnathan and Nielson, Dr. Daniel L. (2013) "Governance and Growth: Technology Absorption and Economic Development," Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 2013: Iss. 1, Article 415.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jur/vol2013/iss1/415