Zombie Economics by Patrick McCormick

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Zombie Economics by Patrick McCormick

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Zombie Economics

1. Purpose of the Article

Patrick McCormick wrote this article to discuss the unspoken stories of zombies that took place in the early era from the 1970s to the 1980s and how they reclaimed themselves as the kings of horror. These living dead creatures were then illustrated in dramas and films. More so, it demonstrates how people turned into horror icons of generations by taking the roles of an army of the walking dead in the past. After being showcased in films such as Shaun of the dead, 28 days later, and I am legend as well as in bestsellers such as Max Brook’s Worlld war Z and Brian Keene’s The Rising; the use of zombies in plays became significant. Simply, the purpose was to highlight the return of the living dead creatures in the new millennium, with the tenacity of vengeance. Signifying the American dream fast disappearing and the collapse of the economy.

2. ‘Zombie metaphor’ use and its relation to the economy

The ‘zombie’ metaphor is used to relate to the economy as it depicts economic systems as unthinkable monsters that are in relentless pursuit of a single objective; to manifest a collapse. When this metaphor is used, short-term profits are like human brains. ‘Zombie banks’ is a well-used metaphor that was popular during the 2000s that described the financial system of Japan, where systematic economic vitality was a result of endless subsidies to banks (Montgomerie & Cain, 2020).

3. In your opinion, why is the zombie a common metaphor?

Zombies are commonly used as metaphors as they inspire fear because of their physical nature. It is bloodied and gray-skinned with missing eyeball or limb, gangling bodies, chatters with decaying teeth and lurching forward in tattered clothes. History of the zombie, from its entry into people’s consciousness to the walking dead, the creature is more of a symbol of aesthetic horror. Commonly used in films, it is used as a metaphor with deep fears; communism, racial sublimation, globalism, atomic destruction, and mass contagion.

4. In the last paragraph, the solution to the problem is outlined. What solution is presented, and do you think it is achievable?

The solution that McCormick offers is that American imperialism must be abandoned as it bleeds the youth and the economy dry. Every person must be offered economic opportunities through education of the young, being committed to repairing the infrastructure, and repairing our energy systems that turn waterways and land into wastelands. Indeed, people are being awakened by the walking dead and obliged to care for the living (McComick, 2012).  McCormick’ solution on abolishing the U.S imperialism is achievable, as they are broken down into achievable solutions.

5. How does this article contribute to your understanding of inequality, especially economic inequality?

The unequal distribution of opportunities and income between various groups in a society is termed as economic inequality. It is a phenomenon that almost all countries worldwide experience, leaving many people trapped in poverty with no chance of getting out. Through this article, certain aspects of economic inequality have been highlighted. First, the new millennium offered the Americans several challenges due to economic inequality, events such as the September 11 tragedy, and the decade long war in Iraq and Afghanistan that hurt the American’s confidence, and repeated threats of biological outbreaks.  All these events depicted the U.S government’s inability to repair or prevent destruction. More so, economic inequality was further heightened by the two wars and the collapse of the housing bubble. This stripped most people of their jobs, turned the country into the biggest debtor, and denied many people chances of owning homes and pension.