The paper offers a theoretical analysis of long-run economic growth as an outcome of structural changes. We model the microeconomic behaviour of firms in the final good and capital sectors, and the evolution of classes of workers/consumers. We carefully craft economic behaviour onto empirical evidence, and solve the model numerically. The results illustrate the microeconomic properties of the simulated growth patterns. In particular, we observe and explain the interactions between technological change, firm organization, income distribution, consumption behaviour and growth. We confirm the relevance and interdependence of these structural changes, and underline their microeconomic sources.

We study the relation between income distribution and growth, mediated by structural changes on the demand and supply sides. Using the results from a multi-sector growth model, we compare two growth regimes that differ in three aspects: labour relations, competition and consumption patterns. Regime one, similar to Fordism, is assumed to be relatively less unequal, more competitive and to have more homogeneous consumers than regime two, which is similar to post-Fordism. We analyse the parameters that define the two regimes to study the role of the economy's exogenous institutional features and endogenous structural features on output growth, income distribution, and their relation. We find that regime one exhibits significantly lower inequality, higher output and productivity and lower unemployment compared to regime two, and that both institutional and structural features explain these differences. Most prominent among the first group are wage differences, accompanied by capital income and the distribution of bonuses to top managers. The concentration of production magnifies the effect of wage differences on income distribution and output growth, suggesting the relevance of competition norms. Among structural determinants, firm organisation and the structure of demand are particularly relevant. The way that final demand is distributed across sectors influences competition and overall market concentration; demand from the least wealthy classes is especially important. We show also the tight linking between institutional and structural determinants. Based on this linking, we conclude by discussing a number of policy implications that emerge from our model.

The paper analyses the effect of the dynamics of consumption preferences on the dynamics of macro-economic growth. We endogenously derive microdynamics of consumption behavior as a result of the increase in the number of income classes. The different degrees of inertia in the adjustment of consumption levels to income changes affect firm selection and the dynamics of market structure, which is ultimately responsible for different regimes of macro-economic growth. We find, first, that higher heterogeneity in consumption preferences amplifies and accelerates market dynamics, leading to a swift shift from a Malthusian to a Kaldorian growth pattern. Second, consumption smoothing mainly affects the timing of such a take-off. Inertia in consumption delays the occurrence of a Kaldorian engine for growth.A. Lorentz et al. JEL Classification

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