We identify structural breaks in economic growth in 140 countries and use these to define ""growth spells:"" periods of high growth preceded by an upbreak and ending either with a downbreak or with the end of the sample. Growth spells tend to be shorter in African and Latin American countries...

Intro -- Contents -- I. INTRODUCTION -- II. OUTLOOK FOR ENERGY PRODUCTION -- III. EXPORT PROSPECTS AND DUTCH DISEASE -- IV. EXCHANGE RATE EQUATION -- V. PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER -- VI. CONCLUSION -- APPENDIX I. Data -- References.