Unintended Consequences

by Nicholas Scarmozzinoin Lesson Planson Posted on

Learning Objectives

  • Define and understand the concept of unintended consequences.
  • Analyze how unintended consequences arise in economic and political systems.
  • Apply the concept of unintended consequences to real-world scenarios and policy decisions.
  • Discuss the importance of foresight in decision-making processes.

Materials Needed

  • Clip from Game of Thrones featuring Cersei and the High Sparrow
  • Whiteboard/Smartboard.
  • Student handouts with discussion prompts and case studies (provided below).

Lesson Procedure

1. Introduction (10 minutes)

  1. Begin by writing the term “Unintended Consequences” on the board. Ask students:
    • What do you think this term means?
    • Can you think of examples in real life where actions had unexpected results?
  2. Provide a formal definition:
    • Unintended consequences are outcomes that are not foreseen or intended by a purposeful action.
  3. Briefly explain how unintended consequences can occur in economics, politics, and daily life.

2. Video Clip (10 minutes)

  1. Introduce the Game of Thrones clip:
    • “In this clip, Cersei empowers the High Sparrow to target her political opponents. However, her decision backfires when the High Sparrow turns against her and imprisons her. This exemplifies the idea of unintended consequences.”
  2. Play the clip. Briefly share how Cersei empowered the High Sparrow and now he’s imprisoning her.

3. Class Discussion (30 minutes)

  1. Transition to real-world examples of unintended consequences. Provide prompts such as:
    • Economic policies (e.g., price controls, minimum wage laws, or subsidies).
    • Environmental actions (e.g., introducing non-native species to control pests).
    • Technological innovations (e.g., social media’s impact on mental health).
  2. Divide students into small groups and ask each group to quickly find a policy that had unintended consequences. They should:
    • State the outcome that was intended
    • Share what the unintended consequence was
    • Why did the law or policy create this unintended consequence

4. Group Presentations (10 minutes)

  1. Have each group present:
    • Their policy, the intended goal, and the unintended consequence..

5. Conclusion (5 minutes)

  1. Recap the key points:
    • Unintended consequences are common
    • Decision-makers should consider a broad range of possible outcomes
  2. Pose a final reflection question:
    • “How can understanding unintended consequences make us better citizens and leaders?”

Optional Extensions

  • Homework: Research a historical event where unintended consequences played a significant role (e.g., the Prohibition Era or the introduction of the automobile).
  • Debate: Organize a class debate on whether certain economic policies’ benefits outweigh their unintended consequences.

Unintended ConsequencesDownload