Economics of the Undead

Reviews / Votes

Whitman and Dow, both professors of economics at California State University, Northridge, gather 23 essays that explore the centrality of economic issues to today's popular vampire and zombie novels and films. Whitman uses vampire romance to explain marriage markets, suggesting, among other things, that undead love tales shed light on the sunk cost fallacy. Dow takes the characteristic wealth of vampires (they do have to finance a very long retirement) as an excuse to talk about compound interest. Other essays connect the zombie apocalypse with Adam Smith (how will postapocalypse survivors 'return to their prior level of prosperity'?), True Blood to privatization, zombie invasion to problems like the spread of feral hogs in the U.S., and the residential and geographic choices of the undead to the Tiebout Hypothesis. More insightfully, contributor Lorna Piatti-Farnell notices the way Gothic language pervades Marx's writings about capitalism. This frothy foray into Econ 101 might seduce freshman to the dismal science. * Publishers Weekly * Economics of the Undead, edited by Glen Whitman and James Dow . . . is the perfect blend of smart and pop culture. On the one hand, it is a deep collection of studies and economic thought, referencing Adam Smith and Charles M. Tiebout, who defined the theory on local community. On the other, it is jammed with examples from Buffy the Vampire Slayer to Dawn of the Dead (any and all versions). . . .Economics of the Undead goes in a wide variety of directions, giving something for anyone who wants to ponder the impact of the dead-alive. * Blogcritics * Perhaps the best aspect of Economics of the Undead is that it links what is so often considered an escapist genre to the real world. As outlined above, many of the theories that are applied to the undead figures also have practical economic, social, and political applications. . . .Whitman, Dow, et al have certainly made a convincing argument for the relevance of undead workings in the field of economics. Recognising that a vampire can be persuaded to trade with the living rather than stealing their blood; having a sense of security under the terms of comprehensive zombification insurance; appreciating the fact that this dazzling creature in front of you might just be your new Tinder date - the volume encourages us to ponder these scenarios and more. Economics of the Undead: Zombies, Vampires and theDismal Science permits the reader to rest easy in the knowledge that their next graveyard encounter with the supernatural will be decidedly less one-sided. * The Irish Journal of Gothic and Horror Studies * These are serious people taking on serious topics...That's worth thinking about, isn't it? -- Stephen J. Dubner, Freakonomics podcast, "What Can Vampires Teach Us About Economics?" (2014) For too long, economics has been lagging behind the other social sciences in explaining the political economy of the undead. With this volume, Whitman and Dow take a lurching step forward in closing the gap. -- Daniel W. Drezner, Professor of International Politics, Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University Those who are looking to get their finances in order for the coming Zombie apocalypse should definitely buy this book. But so should anyone else who is interested in how the worlds of zombie and vampire movies would really work--or for that matter, anyone who is interested in having complex economic topics lucidly and entertainingly explained. Whether you are a professional economist, a Buffy fan, or a vampire, you will learn something new and interesting in every chapter. -- Megan McArdle, columnist, Washington Post