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Which was better for "economic growth?"

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Phi est aureum posted on Thu, Oct 18 2012 8:31 AM

I often hear that the decade of the 1950s was the best for economic growth in history. But I think I have also read that the decade of the 1880s was the best. Does anyone have facts (or opinions) on the comparison between these two periods? If you respond, you can define "economic growth" how you like. Which do you view as superior to the other?

The only one worth following is the one who leads... not the one who pulls; for it is not the direction that condemns the puller, it is the rope that he holds.

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Good question. I'm waiting for a response, too.

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Loppu replied on Tue, Oct 23 2012 10:34 AM

I don't have an answer to what you are asking, but I have a suggestion. I think you should consider the trustworthiness of your sources i.e. try to remember from where did you hear that 1950s had the best economic growth in history and from where did you hear that it was 1880s. Do you remember your sources?

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The question is totally irrelevant since wealth is determined by several factors. Education level, IQ, size of government, freedom in banking, medicine and health care, and over variables which vary over time. It's like comparing apple and orange.

Anyway, if you want more serious evidence that economic freedom enhances GDP, See Rindermann.

 
As for the question, for what I have learnt recently, it appears that the 1950s was possibly (and even probably) better than the 1880s. Again, this is totally irrelevant.
 
(EDIT : now I remember that Robert Higgs has written something about the post war II)
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