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Undergraduate Economics Association Blog

Welcome to the UEA Blog! This is a space where our contributors share their insights, analysis, and perspectives on a wide range of economic topics. Whether it's breaking down current events, exploring economic theory, or discussing the intersection of economics with other fields, our blog highlights the diverse interests and voices of our community. Check out their posts below!

14

The Economics of Mosh Pits: Supply, Demand, and Crowd Control

Devina Saxena

Let’s break down mosh pits through an economic lens – it’s like a live-action supply and demand machine, only with more sweat, chaos, and crowd-surfing.

15

The Thrifting Economy: How Gen-Z is Changing The Demand for Fashion

Mehek Chotrani

Once considered taboo and a last resort, thrifting has exploded in popularity over the past couple of years thanks to Gen-Z.

15g

Bling Over Basics: Why Do Diamonds Win the Value Game?

Seunghyun Kang

Imagine a recruiter asking you to determine the value of a certain good. What valuation factor jumps out for you?

16

Economics Under The Influence: The Cost of Addiction

Mehek Chotrani

At what point does profit maximization become unethical?

18

A Case Study on The Hermès Birkin: An Economic Mirage

Seunghyun Kang

The Hermès Birkin bag is the epitome of luxury and exclusivity given the widespread perception that the ability to purchase them requires being amongst the biggest spenders at the Hermès boutique.

1c

Economics of Everyday Aesthetics: How Design Trends Influence Consumer Behavior and Markets

Devina Saxena

The aesthetics of everyday items, from packaging to digital interfaces, play a major role in influencing consumer behavior and even broader market trends.

1g

Hobbes and the Commons: Why the Tragedy of the Commons Needs a Leviathan

Kyle Xu

Leviathan, by Thomas Hobbes, is a monumental piece of work in the fields of political and ethical philosophy through its description of man’s natural state as well as social contract theory.

1k

Hustling in The Gig Economy

Mehek Chotrani

As you DoorDash your midnight snack, you have the gig economy to thank for the driver behind the wheel.

1o

Wait, They Don’t Invest Like I Invest: Gen Z’s New Approach to Financial Markets

Devina Saxena

Gen Z is redefining the world of personal finance with a fresh, tech-driven approach to investing.

1s

Swimming Upstream: The Economics Behind Salmon Depletion in Alaska

Seunghyun Kang

In the icy rivers of Alaska, salmon is a vital resource for its fishing-reliant communities, indigenous peoples, and the economy.

2

Neuroeconomics: How Our Brain Influences Our Economic Decisions

Suhani Kapoor

The working of the mind has been considered beyond the scope of economic inquiry. Neuroeconomics, attempting to bridge this gap, studies the relationship between economic decisions and observable phenomena in human brains.

2g

The Economy When It Doesn’t Exist

Ryan Marcantonio

Have you ever considered a world where the economy ceases to exist? This seems impossible, but for most of my life it was reality.

3

Homo-Economicus vs David Hume: Reason vs the Primacy of Passions

Kyle Xu

Why do you want money? Nowadays, everyone has a distinct answer to this question. Yet, the classical economic model seems to stop before this question, assuming that we make decisions by logically calculating costs to maximize utility: homo-economicus.

3g

Fishing in Troubled Waters: The Impact of the South China Sea Conflict on Filipino Fisheries

Mehek Chotrani

Over the years, the Philippines and China's physical proximity to one another has strengthened economic activity and overall relations between the two countries. However, this proximity has recently become a point of contention, particularly due to the South China Sea.

4

Behavioral Economics: The Psychology Behind Consumer Choice

Devina Saxena

Behavioral economics acknowledges that psychological factors significantly influence decision-making. People are often driven by emotions, cognitive biases, and social pressures, leading them to make choices that deviate from what would be considered "rational" in an economic sense.

6

Girl Math: Does it Make Economic Sense?

Seunghyun Kang

Are $200 Sephora purchases rash, or can they be justified? In the world of girl math, cosmetics and other unnecessary purchases are no longer seen as superfluous, instead they are seen as investments whose costs can be rationalized by their number of uses.

8

Understanding Marriage

Anna (Xinmo) Li

Marriage is a fundamental social institution that profoundly influences individual and societal well-being – extensive literature has explored factors influencing marital decisions and outcomes.

g

Ethiopia's Floating Currency: Navigating Economic Reforms Amidst Foreign Exchange Challenges

Tsega Wondwossen

Ethiopia has experienced significant economic expansion in recent years with a GDP growth rate of approximately 7.2 percent in the fiscal years 2020 to 2023 – a testament to Ethiopia's emergence as one of the world's fastest growing economies in today's global landscape.

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