J. Brian O'Roark

Discover the Shocking Economics of the Wizarding World The world of Harry Potter is filled with magic, mystery, and adventure, but beneath the surface lies an economy struggling in the dark ages. Potternomics: Why Wizards Still Live in the Dark Ages and Other Economic Curiosities in the World of Harry Potter reveals why the wizarding world, despite its magic, remains economically backward.Explore fascinating questions through an economic lens: Why is there almost no economic growth in the magical world?How does the wizarding world grapple with the fundamental problem of scarcity?Why are goblins such ineffective bankers?From an economic standpoint, why should people be even more terrified of Dementors?Why do even the wealthiest wizards maintain a standard of living comparable to the 1700s?Could economics explain how Harry, a teenage wizard, defeated the most powerful dark lord?Part textbook, part Freakonomics, Potternomics is an entirely fun exploration of the economic principles at play in your favorite magical universe. By applying economic concepts to this beloved setting, you'll gain a new appreciation for the story and see that the real magic lies in understanding the forces that shape the wizarding world. Uncover the economic curiosities that make the world of Harry Potter tick

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.