A Fantastic Economic Breakdown Of 'Game Of Thrones'
HBO
"While Martin's tales of White Walkers, direwolves, and dwarves may seem as far from the mundane world of modern-day finance and politics as possible," she writes, "many have spotted the economic lessons some of the characters should have learned before they embarked on their quest for power."
PHOTOS: 'Game of Thrones': 20 Game-Changing Quotes
Here are her takeaways:
The Iron Bank is GOT's IMF and World Bank in One - Too Big to Fail and Bankrolling Everyone
HBO
Littlefinger, Master of Coin, Is Also a Master of Quantitative Easing
Boyle notes that much like the Federal Reserve, Littlefinger, has been undertaking a pseudo-quantitative easing on the show, "by injecting more gold dragons into the economy (although in a rather less sophisticated way, by clipping coins to create more money)." Meanwhile his duplicity knows no bounds: He weakens the royal family's economic status by drawing heavy loans from the Iron Bank, while raising taxes - and in the backdrop he establishes a booming prostitution business by granting himself loans from the throne, from the very same funds he had it borrow from the Iron Bank. Wolf of Westeros indeed.TV REVIEW: Game of Thrones Season Four
Cersei's Financial Mismanagement of the Throne Might Prove to Be Her Undoing
"Cersei may want to set up a Bank of Lannisport," writes Boyle, "but it looks like that's come too late."
The Iron Bank Is Probably the True King Afterall
As Boyle points out, the only enduringly viable industry in Westeros is defense, as ships and and mercenaries are increasingly sought-after to protect against piracy and regional conflict. But it's again the Iron Bank that backs most of these military procurements.
"The Iron Bank is always glad to be of service," Tycho Nestoris tells throne contender Stannis after he signs for his debts in blood, in the next book, Winds of Winter.
"But ultimately, the players in this game may all, unbeknown to them, be serving the Bank," Boyle observes.
Game of Thrones Season 4 returns to HBO on April 17.
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