The Spontaneous Order of Words: Economics Experiments in Haiku and Renga

Int. Jnl. of Pluralism and Economics Education 5(3, 2014), Forthcoming.

15 Pages Posted: 17 May 2014

See all articles by Stephen Ziliak

Stephen Ziliak

Roosevelt University

Samuel Barbour

Roosevelt University

Cathleen Vasquez

Roosevelt University

Joseph Molina

Roosevelt University

Jacob Lundquist

Roosevelt University

Cameron Simak

Roosevelt University

Morgan Higgs

Roosevelt University

Date Written: May 14, 2014

Abstract

The search is on for low cost collaborative learning models that foster creative cooperation and growth through spontaneous competition. I propose that a traditional renga competition for stakes can fulfill several of those goals at once. “Capitalistic Crisis,” composed by five undergraduate students, is an example of what might be called renganomics – a spontaneous, collaboratively written linked haiku about economics, inspired by haiku economics (Ziliak 2011, 2009a) and classical Japanese renga. A renga is in general a spontaneous, collaboratively written linked haiku poem with stanzas and links conventionally arranged in 5-7-5-7-7 syllabic order. In medieval Japan renga gatherings were social, political, and economic exchanges – from small to elaborate parties – with a literary end: a collectively written poem to provoke and entertain the assembled audience about a theme, mood, and season – economic seasons included. Since their ancient and royal beginnings among 8th century Japanese courtiers, renga have been written competitively and by all social classes for stakes. The current group of five student authors competed in a Spring 2014 economics class with forty other students grouped into teams of 3 or 5 at Roosevelt University. The renga competition, judged by Stephen T. Ziliak, lasted forty five minutes for a predetermined cash prize of fifty U.S. dollars. So far as we know this is the first spontaneous renga in English, or any language, to focus on economics. After a brief discussion of renga rules and the renga-haiku relationship, there follows the prize winning “Capitalistic Crisis” by Cathleen Vasquez, Joseph Molina and others, together with “Fashions of Economics: Haiku,” by Samuel Barbour, who was master-in-training at the renga.

Keywords: haiku economics, renganomics, creative cooperation, experiential learning, innovation prizes, Hayek, Bashō

JEL Classification: A2, B4, C9, Z1

Suggested Citation

Ziliak, Stephen and Barbour, Samuel and Vasquez, Cathleen and Molina, Joseph and Lundquist, Jacob and Simak, Cameron and Higgs, Morgan, The Spontaneous Order of Words: Economics Experiments in Haiku and Renga (May 14, 2014). Int. Jnl. of Pluralism and Economics Education 5(3, 2014), Forthcoming. , Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2437052

Stephen Ziliak (Contact Author)

Roosevelt University ( email )

Chicago, IL 60605
United States

HOME PAGE: http://sites.roosevelt.edu/sziliak

Samuel Barbour

Roosevelt University ( email )

Chicago, IL 60605
United States

Cathleen Vasquez

Roosevelt University ( email )

Chicago, IL 60605
United States

Joseph Molina

Roosevelt University ( email )

Chicago, IL 60605
United States

Jacob Lundquist

Roosevelt University ( email )

Chicago, IL 60605
United States

Cameron Simak

Roosevelt University ( email )

Chicago, IL 60605
United States

Morgan Higgs

Roosevelt University ( email )

Chicago, IL 60605
United States

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