Includes bibliographical references (pages 215-224) and index.
Contents:
Scarcity, specialization, and squishees : The Simpsons as homo economicus / Anthony M. Carilli -- Where the invisible hand has only four fingers : supply, demand, and the market process in Springfield / Douglas Rogers and Peter J. Boettke -- A pile of Krusty burgers embiggens the fattest man : obesity, incentives, and unintended consequences in 'King size Homer' / Art Carden -- Twenty dollars can buy many peanuts! : money and The Simpsons / Andrew T. Young -- Thank you, come again : the pursuit of profits in Springfield / Gregory M. Randolph -- They have the Internet on computers now? : entrepreneurship in The Simpsons / Per L. Bylund, Christopher M. Holbrook, and Peter G. Klein -- I've got a monopoly to maintain! : market failure in The Simpsons / Diana W. Thomas -- Will you stop that infernal racket!?! : externalities and The Simpsons / Justin M. Ross -- Mayors, monorails, and morons : government failure in The Simpsons / John Considine -- Coming to Homerica : the economics of immigration / Seth R. Gitter and Robert J. Gitter -- Donut and dimed : labor markets in The Simpsons / David T. Mitchell -- Paging Dr. Hibbert : what The Simpsons can teach us about health economics / Lauren Heller -- At first I thought prohibition was a good thing : the economics of alcohol control / Mark Thornton -- Mr. Burns' casino : the economics of casino gambling / Douglas M. Walker and Shannon M. Kelly -- Homer economicus or Homer sapiens? : behavioral economics in The Simpsons / Jodi Beggs -- From rabbit ears to flat screen : it's getting better all the time / Steven Horwitz and Stewart Dompe.
Summary:
"In Homer Economicus a cast of lively contributors takes a field trip to Springfield, where the Simpsons reveal that economics is everywhere. By exploring the hometown of television's first family, this book provides readers with the economic tools and insights to guide them at work, at home, and at the ballot box. Since The Simpsons centers on the daily lives of the Simpson family and its colorful neighbors, three opening chapters focus on individual behavior and decision-making, introducing readers to the economic way of thinking about the world. Part II guides readers through six chapters on money, markets, and government. A third and final section discusses timely topics in applied microeconomics, including immigration, gambling, and health care as seen in The Simpsons. Reinforcing the nuts and bolts laid out in any principles text in an entertaining and culturally relevant way, this book is an excellent teaching resource that will also be at home on the bookshelf of an avid reader of pop economics."--back cover.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.