This collection of original articles looks at the convergence
hypothesis, which asserts that since the Second World War, industrial
countries were growing increasingly homogeneous in terms of
productivity, technology, and per capita incomes. The book examines
patterns displayed by individual industries within countries as well
as the aggregate economies, influences that underlie the process of
convergence, and the role that convergence has played and promises to
play in the future. Contributors include: Moses Abramovitz, Alice M.
Amsden, Magnus Blomstrom, David Dollar, Takashi Hikino, Gregory
Ingram, William Lazonick, Frank Lichtenberg, Robert E. Lipsey, Angus
Maddison, Gavin Wright, and Mario Zejan.

William J. Baumol is Professor of Economics at New York University. Richard R. Nelson is Professor of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University. Edward N. Wolff is Professor of Economics at New York University.