Growing through subsidies

Abstract

We consider an overlapping generation model based on Matsuyama (1999) and show that, whenever actual capital accumulation falls below its balanced growth path, subsidising innovators by taxing consumers has stabilising effects and increases welfare. Further, if the steady state is unstable under laissez faire, the introduction of the subsidy can make the steady state stable. Such a policy has positive welfare effects as it fosters output growth along the transitional adjustment path. Therefore, fast growing economies, in which high factor accumulation plays a crucial role alongside innovative sectors that enjoy temporary monopoly rents, should follow an unorthodox approach to stabilisation. Namely, taxing the consumers and reallocate resources to the innovative sectors.