As someone who is passionate about economics, I believe that incorporating Economics-themed “This or That” icebreaker questions into your upcoming event can be a fun and engaging way to spark conversations, build connections, and promote learning among your guests. By asking questions related to economic concepts, theories, and real-world applications, you can create an interactive experience that challenges people’s assumptions, broadens their perspectives, and deepens their understanding of the field.
How to incorporate Economics themed This or That questions
To incorporate Economics-themed “This or That” questions into your event, follow these steps:
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Prepare a list of questions beforehand that are related to economic concepts, theories, and real-world applications. You can find inspiration from textbooks, online resources, or consulting with experts in the field.
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Print out the questions on cards or display them on a screen or a poster board. Encourage your guests to form small groups of 3-5 people and take turns asking each other the questions. You can also create a rotation system where each group moves on to the next question after a set amount of time (e.g., 2-3 minutes).
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Make sure everyone has a chance to answer each question and listen actively to their responses. Encourage follow-up questions, comments, and discussions that build on the initial answers. You can also share your own insights and opinions about economics to keep the conversation flowing.
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After everyone has had a chance to answer all the questions, gather your guests in a larger group and ask them to share their favorite or most surprising answers. You can also use this opportunity to highlight any commonalities or connections that emerged during the activity.
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Consider using some of the insights or stories that came up during the “This or That” icebreaker as a springboard for further conversations and activities throughout the day. For example, you could organize a trivia game based on economics trivia or create a poster board with infographics and data visualizations related to economic trends and issues.
Ideas on different themes of questions
To keep your Economics-themed icebreaker questions fresh and engaging, you can explore different themes and categories that are relevant to the field. Here are some ideas:
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Microeconomics: Ask questions related to individual choices, markets, and industries (e.g., “Do you prefer a market economy or a command economy?” or “What factors influence consumer behavior in your industry?”).
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Macroeconomics: Ask questions about national and global economic trends, policies, and challenges (e.g., “What do you think is the biggest challenge facing the U.S. economy today?” or “How can we promote sustainable economic growth and development in emerging economies?”).
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Behavioral economics: Ask questions that explore how psychological, social, and cultural factors influence economic decision-making (e.g., “What role does cognitive bias play in financial decision-making?” or “How can behavioral insights be used to design better public policies and programs?”).
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International trade: Ask questions related to globalization, trade agreements, and supply chains (e.g., “What are the benefits and drawbacks of free trade agreements?” or “How can we ensure that international trade is fair and equitable for all parties involved?”).
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Public finance: Ask questions about taxation, government spending, and public debt (e.g., “What is your preferred method of taxation and why?” or “How can we address the challenges of aging populations and rising healthcare costs in a sustainable way?”).
By incorporating these different themes of questions into your Economics-themed icebreaker activity, you can keep your guests engaged and entertained while also promoting learning and critical thinking. So why not give it a try and see how it can enhance your next event!
My favorite Economics themed This or That questions
- Stocks or bonds?
- Inflation or deflation?
- Supply-side economics or demand-side economics?
- Monopoly or perfect competition?
- Nationalization or privatization?
- Keynesian economics or classical economics?
- Tariffs or free trade?
- Progressive taxation or flat taxation?
- Gross Domestic Product (GDP) or Gross National Product (GNP)?
- Market economy or planned economy?
- Gold or silver?
- Minimum wage or living wage?
- Globalization or protectionism?
- Zero-sum game or win-win situation?
- Asset or liability?
- Budget surplus or budget deficit?
- Better to rent or own?
- 401(k) or IRA?
- Capital gains tax or income tax?
- Cyclical unemployment or structural unemployment?
- Investment or savings?
- Economic growth or economic stability?
- Income inequality or income equality?
- Commodity or currency?
- Credit card or debit card?
- Estate taxes or inheritance taxes?
- Fiscal policy or monetary policy?
- Government spending or private investment?
- Hedge fund or mutual fund?
- Invisible hand or government intervention?
- Laissez-faire or regulation?
- Market correction or market crash?
- Natural monopoly or legal monopoly?
- Opportunity cost or sunk cost?
- Quantitative easing or austerity measures?
- Real estate investment or stocks investment?
- Solvency or insolvency?
- Trade deficit or trade surplus?
- Unemployment benefits or retraining programs?
- Value-added tax (VAT) or sales tax?
- Wealth creation or wealth redistribution?
- Yield or return?
- Zoning laws or property rights?
- Brexit or European Union membership?
- Crypto or traditional currencies?
About the author
Jon Zajac
Founder & Chief Icebreaker
I started Icebreaker Spot because I truly believe that strong connections are the foundation of successful teams. I wanted to create a platform that would make it easy for people to find and share icebreakers and team building activities, empowering them to build trust, foster collaboration, and ultimately, achieve greatness together.