Growth theories: foundations and implications.

Summary In this paper, we wish to contribute to the renewal of growth theories initiated by Romer (1986) and Lucas (1988). The main purpose of our thesis is to identify the foundations of the new growth theories and to examine their implications. As far as the foundations are concerned. We try to present a unified approach. As for the implications, the focus is on the place assigned to primary factors, the evaluation of public education policies in a growth context, and finally the articulation between the short and long term. This last theme is in line with certain concerns of macroeconomists regarding the persistence of cyclical shocks on macroeconomic dynamics. Finally, the limits to growth arising from the existence of scarce non-renewable resources are examined. Although not directly part of the renewal enterprise undertaken by the dominant literature, this aspect cannot be neglected because of its fundamental implications.