Economics

"Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything" by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner (2005)

This book explores how economic principles apply to everyday life, using data to uncover surprising truths about cheating teachers, bizarre baby names, and crack-selling mothers. Levitt and Dubner challenge conventional wisdom and demonstrate that economics is fundamentally about incentives.

"The Undercover Economist" by Tim Harford (2005)

Harford takes readers on a journey through the hidden side of economic forces in everyday life. From coffee prices to supermarket strategies, he reveals how markets operate and the often unseen economic logic that shapes our daily decisions.

"Naked Economics: Undressing the Dismal Science" by Charles Wheelan (2002)

Wheelan demystifies economics by stripping away jargon and technical detail, presenting key concepts in an engaging and accessible manner. He covers topics like GDP, the Federal Reserve, and global trade, making complex ideas understandable and relevant.

"Thinking, Fast and Slow" by Daniel Kahneman (2011)

Kahneman, a Nobel laureate in economics, delves into the dual systems of thinking that drive our decisions: the fast, intuitive system, and the slow, deliberate system. He explores how cognitive biases and heuristics influence our economic choices and behaviours.

"The Armchair Economist: Economics and Everyday Life" by Steven E. Landsburg (1993)

Landsburg applies economic theory to everyday situations, explaining how incentives shape behaviour. He covers diverse topics, from traffic jams to the impact of crime, illustrating how economic principles can explain various aspects of life.

"The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine" by Michael Lewis (2010)

Lewis tells the story of the lead-up to the 2008 financial crisis, focusing on the few individuals who predicted the collapse of the housing market and bet against it. The book provides a gripping narrative of the flaws in the financial system and the greed that led to the meltdown.

"Doughnut Economics: Seven Ways to Think Like a 21st-Century Economist" by Kate Raworth (2017)

Raworth proposes a new economic model that balances human prosperity with ecological sustainability. She challenges traditional economic thinking and presents seven key ways to reshape our approach to economics in the 21st century.

"The New Confessions of an Economic Hit Man" by John Perkins (2004, revised edition 2016)

Perkins reveals his experiences as an economic consultant, exposing how he helped manipulate countries into debt and control by powerful interests. The book provides an insider's view of the dark side of globalisation and economic manipulation.

"Planet Money" by NPR

Planet Money is a podcast that explains the complexities of economics in a fun and engaging way. The hosts take on various economic topics, from current events to historical analyses, breaking them down into digestible and entertaining episodes.

"Freakonomics Radio" by Freakonomics, LLC and Stitcher

Freakonomics Radio is a podcast that uses economic theory to explain how people make decisions and how the world works. The hosts look at the economics involved in a variety of subjects such as sport and crime.

The Economist

"Inside Job" (2010)

This documentary provides a comprehensive analysis of the global financial crisis of 2008, which caused millions of people to lose their jobs and homes in the worst recession since the Great Depression.The documentary conducts several interviews with financial insiders, politicians, journalists, and academics, to expose some of the corruption within the financial market.

"The Big Short" (2015)

This film tells the story of investors who bet against the housing market before the 2008 financial crisis and is based upon a true story. The Big Short is a film which makes the complexity of the financial market more digestible through humour and unique storytelling.

“American Factory” (2019)

This is a documentary that shows the revival of a glass factory in the USA after it is bought by Chinese investors. The film demonstrates the challenges by American and Chinese workers as they navigate a way to cooperate and enable the business to thrive.

“A Beautiful Mind” (2002)

"A Beautiful Mind" is a biographical drama that explores the life of John Forbes Nash Jr. Nash’s work on ‘game theory’ is still relevant in modern economics and is studied in the IB syllabus.

The Bank of England Museum

Young Enterprise Company Programme - Year 12 - Sept-July