Gundam Economics

This book aims to use the market of Gundam model kits to explain microeconomics concepts, which can be an effective teaching tool for several reasons:

Diverse Product Differentiation: The Gundam model kit market offers a wide range of products with varying levels of complexity, quality, and price. This diversity allows for discussions on product differentiation, consumer preferences, and how firms compete within a market by offering unique features to attract customers.

Supply and Demand Dynamics: The supply and demand dynamics are clearly observable in the Gundam model kit market. Changes in consumer preferences, such as popular Gundam series or designs, can affect demand, while factors like production costs or availability of resources can influence supply. This provides a tangible way to discuss shifts in equilibrium price and quantity.

Price Discrimination: Gundam model kit manufacturers often engage in price discrimination by offering different product lines at various price points. This can be used to illustrate concepts such as first-degree price discrimination (charging each consumer their maximum willingness to pay) or third-degree price discrimination (charging different prices to different consumer segments).

Elasticity: Discussions on price elasticity of demand and supply can be illustrated using Gundam model kits. For instance, enthusiasts may be willing to pay higher prices for limited edition or high-quality kits, demonstrating relatively inelastic demand. Conversely, cheaper, more widely available kits may exhibit more elastic demand.

Production Costs and Efficiency: Exploring the production process of Gundam model kits allows for discussions on economies of scale, marginal cost, and efficiency. Analyzing how changes in production technology or input costs affect production and pricing decisions can provide insights into firm behavior.

Market Structures: The Gundam model kit market can be used to discuss different market structures such as perfect competition, monopolistic competition, oligopoly, and monopoly. Students can examine how the number of firms, barriers to entry, and product differentiation impact market outcomes like pricing and profits.