Economics and Science Fiction
Economics and Science Fiction
(34) Economics and Science Fiction - Lisa Verdon, Department of Economics
What distinguishes good science fiction from the rest? Is it the characters, plot, setting, etc.? These elements are certainly critical but perhaps there is another critical element, economics. Basic principles of economics often play important roles in science fiction. We will explore a number of books and videos of the science fiction genre through the lens of economics. Don’t worry if you’ve never had an economics course (or you hated it), you will learn the basics through your first reading, Common Sense Economics by Gwartney, Stroup, Lee, and Ferrarini (2010). Then we’ll dive into the science fiction titles which may include: Firefly/Serenity, Star Wars, works by H.P. Lovecraft and H.G. Wells, etc.