The Weightless Economy in Economic Development.

Can the increasing signicance of knowledge-products in national income- the growing weightless economy-infuence economic development? Those technologies reduce "distance" between consumers and knowledge production This paper analyzes a model embodying such a reduction. The model shows how demand-side attributes-consumer attitudes on complex goods; training, educa tion, and skills for consumption (rather than production)-can importantly affect patterns of economic growth and development. Evidence from the failed Industrial Revolution in 14th-century China illustrates the empirical relevance of the analysis.