We develop a model of endogenous growth in an economy with competitive mark
ets. Technical change arises from the intentional actions of entrepreneurs
looking for profits. Opportunities for such profits stem from inframarginal
rents. This provides a counterexample to the widespread view that endogeno
us technical change is possible only if innovating firms can expect to reap
monopoly or oligopoly rents. The model has a unique equilibrium which invo
lves steady growth at a positive rate. Equilibrium growth is inefficiently
low because knowledge spillover effects are neglected, The inefficiency can
be eliminated by an interest rate subsidy. (C) 2001 Academic Press.