Wakandanomics
“Black Panther” resists one economic myth but perpetuates another
“THIS will require a quick lesson in global economics…bear with me,” says Erik Killmonger, the muscular villain in “Black Panther”, a long-running Marvel Comics series. In that saga and the recent film it inspired, Killmonger and the Black Panther vie for the throne of Wakanda, a fictional African kingdom little known to the outside world. A land of great wealth and technological sophistication, it lends itself to several quick lessons in economics. Bear with us.
The source of Wakanda’s riches is its “great mound” of vibranium, a versatile ore left behind by a meteor strike, which can absorb sound and motion. Like other deposits of natural treasure, Wakanda’s vibranium attracts some vicious intruders. But unlike some other resource-rich countries, Wakanda has never succumbed to outside foes.
This article appeared in the Finance & economics section of the print edition under the headline “Wakandanomics”
Finance & economics March 31st 2018
- America’s trade strategy has many risks and few upsides
- Asia’s small open economies may suffer in America’s trade war
- More market volatility seems likely
- India’s economy is back on track. Can it pick up speed?
- China wants to reshape the global oil market
- The average American is much better off now than four decades ago
- Insurers and undertakers profit as people prepay their last bill
- Wakandanomics
From the March 31st 2018 edition
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