productivity miracle or workhouse?

Brad De Long delong at econ.Berkeley.EDU
Tue Feb 15 17:32:23 PST 2000



>Well,things that are not charged for have a zero weight in GDP. . . .
>
>Say what?
>
>What abt govt purchases?

Yeah. Government is valued at what it *costs* the government to buy stuff, not at the "value" of what the government produces.


>What abt financial intermediation services?

If you don't pay a fee, it isn't in GDP...


>What abt rental services of owner-occupied homes?

A cheat to put rental and owned property on the same basis.


>
>What abt . . . etc etc
>
>mbs

What about homemaking services?

But your point is well taken. Things not charged for have a zero weight in GDP, except when they don't--except when a special deal has been cut to count them...

Brad DeLong



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