You First Encountered Growth Regression in Your Intermediate Macroeconomics Course

question 43

Essay

You first encountered growth regression in your intermediate macroeconomics course ("beta-convergence regressions"), that is, conditionally on some initial condition in per capita income, different authors tried to find the determinants of growth. Since growth is a long-run phenomenon, various studies collected data for a panel of numerous countries using 10-year averages, over a time period stretching from 1960 to 2005. For example, a balanced panel might consist of 50 or so odd countries for the time periods 1960-1970, 1971-1980, …, 2000-2005. Instead of using two-way fixed effects (entity fixed effects and time fixed)authors often only employed time fixed effects. Why do you think that is? What sort of information would be lost if these authors employed entity fixed effects as well?

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Definitions:

Aquaporins

A family of membrane proteins that facilitate water movement through cell membranes, critical for cellular water balance.

Endodermal Cells

Cells that make up the endoderm, the innermost layer of cells or tissue of an embryo in early development, which gives rise to the lining of the digestive and respiratory systems.

Lipid

A group of naturally occurring molecules including fats, oils, and waxes that are insoluble in water but soluble in nonpolar solvents.

Mycorrhizal Fungi

Fungi that form symbiotic associations with plant roots, aiding in nutrient absorption while receiving carbohydrates in return.