This article examines convergence in per capita personal income among the 50
states from 1960 to 1991. Evidence presented in previous studies is mixed concerning
whether convergence took place during the period in question. By allowing for
differences in cost of living across states, however, the authors find that convergence
took place throughout the entire period studied.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Amable, B.1987. Catch-up and convergence: A model of cumulative growth . International Review of Applied Economics7(1):1-25.
2.
Barro, R.J.1991. Economic growth in a cross section of countries . Quarterly Journal of Economics106:407-43.
3.
Barro, R.J., and X. Sala-i-Martin .1992. Convergence. Journal of Political Economy100(2):223-51.
4.
Baumol, W.J.1986. Productivity growth, convergence and welfare: What the long run data show. American Economic Review75(5):1072-85.
5.
Baumol, W.J., and E.N. Wolff.1988. Productivity growth, convergence and welfare: Reply. American Economic Review78(5):1155-59.
6.
Bourguignon, F.1979. Decomposable income inequality measures. Econometrica47:901-20.
7.
Fisher, R.C., & J.C. Navin.1992. State-local fiscal behavior: Analysis of interjurisdictional differences, 1962-1987. Public Finance Quarterly24(4):433-49.
8.
Fournier, G.M., and D.W. Rasmussen.1986. Salaries in public education: The impact of geographic cost-of-living differentials. Public Finance Quarterly14(2):179-98.
9.
McMahon, W.W.1991. Geographical cost of living differences: An update . AREUEA Journal19(3):426-50.
10.
McMahon, W.W., and C. Melton.1978. Measuring cost of living variations . Industrial Relations17(3):324-32.
11.
Metha, S., J.B. Crihfield, and F. Giertz.1992. Economic growth in the American states: The end of convergence. Working Paper No. 20, The Institute of Government and Public Affairs, University of Illinois.
12.
Nardinelli, C., M.S. Wallace, and J.T. Warner.1987. Explaining differences in state growth: Catching up versus Olson. Public Choice52:201-13.
13.
Olson, M.1983. The South will fall again: The South as leader and laggard in economic growth. Southern Economic Journal49(4):917-32.
14.
Rasmussen, D.W., and T.W. Zuehlke.1990. Sclerosis, convergence, and taxes: Determinants of growth among U.S. states. Environment and Planning C: Government and Policy8:1-11.
15.
Roberts, C.A.1979. Interregional per capita income differences and convergence: 1880-1950. Journal of Economic History39(1):101-12.
16.
Samuelson, P.A.1948. International trade and the equalization of factor pricesEconomic Journal58:163-84.
17.
Scully, G.W.1991. The convergence of fiscal regimes and the decline of the Tiebout effect. Public Choice72(1):51-59.
18.
Solow, R.M.1956. A contribution to the theory of economic growth . Quarterly Journal of Economics70:65-94.
19.
Yu, W., M.S. Wallace, and C. Nardinelli.1991. State growth rates: Taxes, spending and catching up. Public Finance Quarterly19(1):80-93.
