Stabilization policy, learning-by-doing, and economic growth

This paper shows that fiscal policy, when used for stabilization purposes, can have a positive effect on the economy's growth, on human capital accumulation, and on welfare. We introduce stochastic productivity shocks into a model in which productivity is augmented through learning-by-doing. If future benefits of learning-by-doing are not fully internalized by workers, then recessions are periods in which opportunities for acquiring experience are foregone. We identify configurations of disturbances and other parameters for which a countercyclical policy maximizes growth and welfare.