AK Model

  • Paul Romer and Robert Barro
  • Assumes linearity

$$ Y = AK $$ is the production function where, - \(A\) technology - \(K\) capital, which can be - Physical - Human

There are no diminishing returns, marginal productivity of capital cannot be negative.

\[ \begin{align} \dot{k} &= \underbrace{sY}_{\text{Grows > }\delta K} - \delta K \\ \dfrac{\dot{k}}{K} & = \dfrac{sY}{K} - \delta \\ \dfrac{\dot{k}}{K} & = \dfrac{sAK}{K} - \delta \\ \dfrac{\dot{k}}{K} & = sA - \delta \\ \end{align} \]
\[ \begin{align} Y & = AK \\ \ln Y & = \ln A + \ln K \end{align} \]

\(\dfrac{\dot{Y}}{Y} = \dfrac{\dot{K}}{K}\) ( assuming \(A\) is constant) = \(sA - \delta\)

Output is an \(\uparrow\) function of investment.

  • Ideas (increasing returns to scale and monopolistic competition and due to parents)
    • non-rivalrous
    • public goods
    • non-excludable
  • For ideas, perfect competition not fit, because they incur losses. Because, they need to set \(MC = P\) and \(MC = 0\), so they need to price higher and these is no efficient pricing.