EXPERIENCING PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS AND IMPLICATIONS OF VARIOUS ECONOMIC SYSTEMS THROUGH THE NON-COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION "SIM ECO SOC"


Computer Simulation and Learning Theory, Volume 3, 1976 

 535 

EXPERIENCING PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS AND IMPLICATIONS OF VARIOUS 

 

ECONOMIC SYSTEMS THROUGH THE NON-COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION “SIM ECO SOC” 

by Karen J. Cowles and Robert E. Hauser 

Pennsylvania State University 

 

 

 
All too often business and social science majors in college learn all the theoretical concepts about 

economics and various economic systems, but because they do not see the relevance of the theories to 
everyday life, they soon forget what they have learned. One way for students to see the practical 
applications of economics is through simulations during which the student-participants can apply what 
they have learned from the lecture and textbook to situations in the simulation which replicate occurrences 
of the real world. 
 

SIM ECO SOC, short for simulated economic societies, is a model of a mass, modern industrial 
society which has big businesses, small businesses, farmers, a labor union, two political parties, a 
government, a charity organization, a hospital, and the mass media. A three-part simulation, SIN ECO 
SOC is designed to replicate in sequence three economic systems--mixed, collective, and free market. 
Participants in this simulation assume roles such as a labor leader, a politician, a law enforcement officer, 
a farmer, a worker, or the head of a business. 
 

During the simulation, students directly experience the emotional, moral, economic, psychological, 
and sociological problems and stresses which are particularly engendered by each of the three economic 
systems. As the students attempt to deal with the situations which arise, they gain an understanding of the 
problems faced by businessmen, farmers, laborers, and other groups and individuals in a complex, urban 
society. Furthermore, participants begin to see the workings of the various economic systems and gain 
insights into how these systems succeed or fail in dealing with the problems that emerge within the 
simulated society. 
 

This paper will deal with a description of the workings of this simulation and some experiences the 
designers have had in the classroom which demonstrate how students can and have made the connection 
between economic theories and practical, everyday situations.