Homer Economicus: The Simpsons and Economics

by Joshua Hall (Editor)

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, 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.

Genres: Economics, Nonfiction, Humor, Unfinished

337 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2014

Reviews

[David Bril · Rating 4 out of 5]

The latest in the line of Simpsons books that look at the impact the show has had on a certain field, this time taking a look at how The Simpsons have used Economics in the shows history. Broken up into a serious of 16 articles, this is a surprising fun and insightful read. Tackling issues such as Supply and Demand, Obesity incentives, money, profit pursuit, entrepreneurship, market failure, government failure, immigration, labour markets, casinos and a superb chapter on prohibition, every chapter gives you a nice basic understanding of the topic and how the Simpsons has tackled it on the show. This ranks in the teir of this type of unofficial Simpsons book and is a good solid read for any fan.

[Lindsay]

Part of this book was read for an Economics of Wealth and Poverty course.

[Stefano · Rating 3 out of 5]

Carino e simpatico, ma non l'ho letto tutto

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good, thorough, book on economics, using events from The Simpsons. A caution, it is a little more academically-written than most nonfiction, but if you have any experience as a post-secondary student, you will be just fine. I was amazed on how accurate The Simpsons depicted economic problems (at least, those used in the book), such as during the re-enactment of prohibition (and beer barons) for which the TV show then showed the result of this regulation - not a ban but simply increased prices of alcohol, and the rise of black markets and organized crime. Note also that the book takes a firmly free-market perspective on economics, so those of you who prefer praise of socialism and central planning will feel accosted during this book. It may be good for you though.

I think the greatest lesson of economics is that you can't have your cake and eat it too. Economic policies have trade-offs. A utopia-fantasy of some that we all can share everything and everyone will have all their desires met will not hold up in economics. Everything has costs, production must come before consumption, people react to incentives, resources are limited, desires infinite, scarcity is forever, there is no free lunch, etc. If you divert one cost from this pile, it will simply transfer to another cost. Make health care 'free', and those costs simply move to another place (perhaps higher taxes, lower health care quality, lower health options, etc).

However, if you have no knowledge whatsoever of economics, I recommend you start with Economics in One Lesson by Hazlitt.

[Giuseppe Lombardo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Grazie all'impegno profuso dall'Istituto Bruno Leoni, anche in Italia è possibile apprezzare l'opera curata da Joshua Hall. Sedici temi di microeconomia vengono scandagliati nel libro da brillanti esperti, accademici ed economisti determinati a illustrare il funzionamento della società reale attraverso la prospettiva di Springfield.
Sì, perché il genio di Matt Groening ha plasmato negli anni un microcosmo cui i teorici hanno potuto attingere per rendere più appetibili i temi trattati. Ed è una passione sincera, quella degli autori, che saltando di stagione in stagione hanno finito col selezionare alcune puntate emblematiche, utili a capire i principi di una materia complessa e normalmente ostica.
Una dimostrazione in più del valore di intrattenimento di queste serie, nonché del suo durevole apprezzamento da parte di pubblico e critica. D'ho!

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this booked and if you are curious about economics and enjoy The Simpsons, you will too! I learned lots about basic economics and how/why people make the choices that they do. This book touches on immigration, health care, technology, prohibitions and governments all using The Simpsons and the residents of Springfield as examples.

[Michelle L · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rather than an introduction to economics, this is a book for illuminating instructors who wish to teach economics using examples from The Simpsons.

[Mills College Library]

330 H766 2014

[Anthony Faber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mostly free market true believers here. This may reflect the actual demographics of economists but I was skeptical of some of their assertions. They were also too dogmatically sure about it.