Paleoeconomics: A Classroom Game Demonstrating How Trade May Explain the Rise of Humans and the Demise of Neanderthals
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May 16, 2025Economists agree that specialization and trade improve living standards, yet public skepticism toward trade is rising. This suggests economics instructors need innovative ways to present trade’s benefits. This classroom game, inspired by research suggesting early humans outcompeted Neanderthals through trade, highlights trade’s transformative power. Adaptable for various class sizes, the 50-minute activity is ideal for introductory economics courses and fosters discussion of outcomes and implications. By framing trade as a vital factor in human evolution, the game connects economic concepts with anthropology and evolutionary biology, enhancing student engagement and understanding of the benefits of trade historically and in today’s world.
by Jay R. Corrigan
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Corrigan, J. (2025). Paleoeconomics: A Classroom Game Demonstrating How Trade May Explain the Rise of Humans and the Demise of Neanderthals. Available online at Journal of Economics Teaching, DOI: 10.58311/jeconteach/6ecf77f546589f6b617c3054c44b005d2b4a46f0
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