Climate and Unified Growth Theory, the Role of Climate in Comparative Development

This paper develops a model of unified growth based on a positive feed back between growth and longevity. The model explains the historical development of industrialized countries as well as why tropical countries did not follow the same path. It also gives a mechanism for conditional convergence, growth miracles, and leapfrogging. Development begins with slow growth but accelerates when longevity increase. When longevity reaches the threshold where schooling is adopted, growth jumps. In tropical climates this mechanism is blocked by the high prevalence of diseases. Once this obstacle is removed by medical progress, a growth miracle can occur