Creative destruction is also the most under-appreciated reason for why high minimum wages can improve economic efficiency

The 2025 laureates in economic sciences Philippe Aghion and Peter Howitt studied the mechanisms behind sustained growth. In an article from 1992, they constructed a mathematical model for what is called creative destruction: when a new and better product enters the market, the companies selling the older products lose out. The innovation represents something new and is thus creative. However, it is also destructive, as the company whose technology becomes passé is outcompeted. Aghion and Howitt’s model shows that there are strong forces pulling in different directions as regards investment in research and development (R&D) and thus economic growth. Depending on factors such as the market and period of time, the need to subside R&D may vary. #NobelPrize