DevSim: A PowerPoint-Based Simulator Game for Teaching Economic Development

Mark Fabian

No s9jd3, SocArXiv from Center for Open Science

Abstract: This paper explains how to use a game (“DevSim”) built using PowerPoint with an embedded Excel spreadsheet. DevSim plays out key structural changes studied in development economics. The game is inspired by Sid Meier’s simulators, namely Civilization and Alpha Centauri. It provides a fun way to introduce students to central themes of economic development including industrialization, demographic transition, sources of growth, trade, institutions, diminishing returns when land is a fixed factor, the resource curse, and the importance of productivity. The foundation of the game is a production function, with the class allocating labor and capital to different industries each turn in order to grow their economy. More advanced concepts like trade and institutions are introduced each turn in the form of exogenous shocks.

Date: 2019-08-17
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:osf:socarx:s9jd3

DOI: 10.31219/osf.io/s9jd3

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