Why Superman Doesn't Take Over The World: What Superheroes Can Tell Us About Economics

by J. Brian O'Roark

Overview

Why do heroes fight each other? Why do villains keep trying even though they almost never win? Why don't heroes simply take over the world? Economics and comics may seem to be a world apart. But in the hands of economics professor and comic book hero aficionado Brian O’Roark, the two form a powerful alliance. With brilliant deadpan enthusiasm he shows how the travails of superheroes can explain the building blocks of economics, and how economics explains the mysteries of superhero behavior. Spider-Man's existential doubts revolve around opportunity costs; Wonder Woman doesn't have a sidekick because she has a comparative advantage; game theory sheds light on the battle between Captain America and Iron Man; the Joker keeps committing crimes because of the Peltzman effect; and utility curves help us decide who is the greatest superhero of all. Why Superman Doesn't Take Over the World probes the motivations of our favorite heroes, and reveals that the characters in the comics may have powers we dont, but they are still beholden to the laws of economics.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780192564900
Publisher:	OUP Oxford
Publication date:	01/24/2019
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	224
File size:	865 KB

About the Author

Brian O’Roark is a University Professor of Economics at Robert Morris University in Pittsburgh, and is a co-author of Essentials of Economics (with Lee Coppock and Dirk Mateer, W.W. Norton, 2016) and editor of Superheroes and Economics (Routledge, forthcoming). He is on the board of directors for the Journal of Economics Teaching and serves in the role of associate editor. In 2014, Brian was given the Undergraduate Teaching Innovation Award by the Middle Atlantic Association of Colleges of Business Administration and in 2016 he received the President's Award for Outstanding Teaching at RMU.

Table of Contents

1. Everyone loves a good backstory, even economists
2. Who is that masked man?
3. Keep your friends close, or why do superheroes team up?
4. But your enemies closer: Why do superheroes fight each other?
5. Don't give up your day job: Why do superheroes go to work?
6. Give up already! When superheroes are fighting crime, who wants to be a criminal?
7. Who's going to clean up this mess?
8. Where do they get those wonderful toys?
9. Why don't superheroes take over the world?
10. Who is the greatest of them all?

Editorial Reviews

"For those who have difficulty grasping economic concepts, this is an eye-opening approach to the topic. This book is geared towards adults, but would also appeal to high school and college students." — Jennifer Adams, Booklist

"Readers [...] will definitely grasp the basics in a lighthearted and fun way." — City A.M.

"Brian O'Roark effortlessly analyses the world of economics through the guise of superheroes. With a clear passion for both ... O'Roark illustrates how pop culture can be used to explain a subject like economics in a way that is engaging for students and hobbyists alike." — Luke Geikie, Concatenation.org

"Look up in the sky! Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's Super-Econman, Brian O’Roark. He uses the lens of economics to analyze the actions, reactions, and behaviors of dozens of superheroes. This light and breezy read will have your mind soaring as you learn to see your favorite heroes in an entirely new light. Up, up, and away!"- Dirk Mateer, author of Principles of Economics

"Why does Batman even need Robin if he can do everything Robin can and more? Why does someone like Spider-Man keep his true identity secret, while Reed Richards doesn't seem to mind if the world (and the villains out to get him) know who he really is? And of course, if Superman is so powerful on Earth, why doesn't he take over the world? With a fun and interesting take this book reveals that superheroes alike are faced with many of the same struggles as those they strive to protect, and aren't really that different from you and me."- Tahlia Murdoch, host of the Everything Economics podcast

"Brian O’Roark crafts a captivating book that presents economic concepts through the lens of superheroes. Why Superman Doesn't Take Over the World allows the reader to understand economics with ease while at the same time being entertained by the actionable stories of our favorite comic book superheroes."- Frank Conway, host of the Economics Rockstar podcast

"Brian O’Roark cleverly applies the analytical tools of economics to questions that have stoked arguments among comic fans for decades, gently offering examples of economic reasoning and principles that today's students might find more entertaining than the typical textbook approach. In Why Superman Doesn't Take Over the World O’Roark scores a trifecta, bringing social sciences, comics studies, and pedagogy together in a unique and entertaining package." - Rob Salkowitz, author of Comic-Con and the Business of Pop Culture, FORBES contributor, and affiliate faculty, University of Washington. USA

From the Publisher