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. LITERATURE -- III. THE CANADIAN TAX AND BENEFIT SYSTEM IN THE 1990S -- IV. ECONOMETRIC ANALYSIS -- V. RESULTS -- VI. CONCLUSION AND POLICY IMPLICATIONS -- REFERENCES.