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. INDIA CIRCA 1980 -- III. HOW HAS INDIA CHANGED SINCE THE EARLY 1980S? -- IV. THE STATES' STORY -- V. UNDERSTANDING POST-1980 PERFORMANCE -- VI. LOOKING AHEAD -- Appendix: Data Sources and Description -- REFERENCES.