Comics

The editorial cartoons and other comics on this page are presented for use in the classroom, to introduce economic and personal finance concepts, and open discussions about current events and how they relate to economics. For additional resources to teach economics using cartoons, MindSparks Interactive Learning Tools from HighSmith produces a series of resource packets that include transparencies of cartoons and complete lesson plans, tied to the Voluntary National Content Standards in Economics. Check with your local Center to see if they have a set in their library!

Please note: any politcial commentary derived from the following cartoons should be considered secondary to the economic and personal finance concepts they may be used to illustrate. The Ohio Council on Economic Education believes in a balanced, non-partisan presentation of economic issues, and the comics below should not be construed as an endorsement of any political position or platform.

John Trever, New Mexico, The Albuquerque Journal

R.J. Matson, NY, The New York Observer and Roll Call

Scott Stantis, Alabama, The Birmingham News

Remember chaos theory from the film Jurassic Park - a butterfly flaps its wings in Beijing and it rains instead of snows in New York? This is a good illustration of interdependence.

Dick Locher, Chicago, The Chicago Tribune

Larry Wright, Detroit, Michigan, The Detroit News

Economics is fundamentally the science of decision-making, and a part of good personal financal management is considering the needs of the future as well as the needs of today.

Rob Rogers, Pennsylvania, The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

This could be used to illustrate the concepts of trade-offs and opportunity cost. Also a good introduction for a discussion of taxes.

Robert Ariail, South Carolina, The State

Mike Thompson , Detroit, Michigan, The Detroit Free Press

For discussion - are these valid excuses? Why or why not?

Cal Grondahl, Utah Standard Examiner

The value of staying in school is not to be underestimated - some statistics can be found here (the 2006 numbers are comparable).

Steve Sack, Minnesota, The Minneapolis Star-Tribune

Jeff Parker, Florida, Florida Today

When making a business plan or budget, it's important to consider all of the costs of the product being manufactured.

Joe Heller, Wisconsin, The Green Bay Post Gazette

One of the key ideas behind trade is that nations (or states, or individuals) with an abundance of a particular resource can exchange it for a resource they lack.

Mike Keefe, Colorado, The Denver Post

I don't have it in electronic form, but I do seem to remember an editorial cartoon from ten or twelve years ago in which a superhero representing the dollar was boasting of his prowess to a sidekick representing the euro, who replied in a thought ballon "give me a few years old man, and I'll clip your cape." I'll see if I can't find and scan my hardcopy of that one...

Jeff Parker, Florida, Florida Today

What are the pros and cons of privatizing public resources, or decentralizing public utilities?