Socioeconomic portraits: Leveraging the production possibilities frontier to expand coverage of inequality and economic history in principles classes
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December 30, 2025Some economists favor expanding coverage of inequality and economic history in principles classes. We argue that the production possibilities frontier (PPF) – a standard principles model — can be easily modified to promote this goal. This is shown by providing various PPF history applications. Concurrently, we introduce the concept of “distribution boxes.” This analytical tool illustrates, within a PPF context, how output is distributed across groups in an economy, which facilitates inequality analyses. In turn, this tool can transform PPFs into “socioeconomic portraits” of entire economies. We outline how these portraits could expand the efficacy of “literacy-targeted” principles classes.
by Scott Milliman and John Kruggel
Milliman, S., & Kruggel, J. (2026). Socioeconomic portraits: Leveraging the production possibilities frontier to expand coverage of inequality and economic history in principles classes. Journal of Economics Teaching, 11(4), 402-434. DOI: 10.58311/jeconteach/225ae6241575d2def4264d6784ae059c5f7be5f9
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