The Representation of Economics in Cinema / Progress in Mathematics (PDF)

"This wonderful book can make you aware of some splendid works in the "seventh art" that already influence, or should influence, anyone who wants to understand economics. It can be used to teach an economics class in an innovative way, or simply to enjoy economics and movies differently."
- Antonio Cabrales, Professor of Economics, Universidad Carlos III Madrid.

"In this outstandingly entertaining book, Professor Sanchez-Pages uses the lens of a micro-economist to dissect some of the most seen films of our time. The perspective is startlingly brilliant and unique. Once you have read this book you will want to see these movies again, but from a completely novel perspective."

- Shanker Satyanath, Professor of Politics, New York University.

Cinema articulates the economic anxieties of each generation of filmmakers and audiences. It has an influence on people's views on various economic issues and many orders of magnitude larger than that of economics as a discipline. This book offers a sweeping study of the representation of economics in cinema across a wide range of areas and genres, from the conflicts over resources in the lawless Old West to the post-scarcity societies of science fiction futures. This book studies how films have portrayed trade unions, scarcity, money, businesses, innovators, migrant workers, working women, globalization, the stock market, and the automation of work. It aims to be useful to those who are interested in cinema with economic themes and to those who want to learn about economics through cinema.

Santiago Sanchez-Pages is associate professor in economics at King's College London, UK. His academic research focuses on political economy, economic theory, and experimental economics. His articles have been published in leading international journals. He also writes on film and popular culture and has published several short stories.