Analytical Essay: An Economic Analysis of “I, Pencil” by Leonard E. Read

Instructions

Our discussion assignment for this week is for you to read a short essay called I, Pencil. Please read the pamphlet, I want you to read the actual essay and not the introductions, etc.

After reading the Essay, please watch the series of videos that are based on the essay below as a supplement / enhancement of the reading:

Video Link: https://youtu.be/IYO3tOqDISE

Also, please watch the follow up commentaries. It is a short YouTube Playlist of 5 videos. They will help you understand the simple, but very powerful ideas that are contained in this wonderful essay about spontaneous order and markets (and other economic topics).

Your essay should be an economic analysis of the I, Pencil essay.

Your essay needs to use the I, Pencil essay as the main focus. The videos are here as an enhancement or supplement. Use the economics you have learned in the class to complete a first main essay/post. While there is no specific word count requirement, you should be concise and aim for somewhere around 500 words. I want to stress that I am looking for quality not quantity.

After you complete your first essay post, you will then need to respond to 2 other students with a follow up post that advances the conversation. This is a total of 3 posts. Main post and 2 follow up posts.