Equestrian Economics

Or more specifically, the economic stability of Equastria. I've read an interesting article about how many of the tasks seemed to be restricted to certain types of ponies, which makes me wonder how jobs are broken down. It would seem that Ponyville relies on chance in order to create new jobs as everypony seems to have jobs based around their cutie marks. But if there's already a major player in the Ponyville market (such as the Apple Family with their apples) then that could possibly drive other ponies out of business (like Cherry and her Cherry stand). With limited job opportunities I doubt Ponyville would be able to stabilize itself in the long run.

Yeah, interesting stuff.

Each pony is branded by empress princess Celestia with a symbol defining what role they MUST do in society.

I think it's like how real life works: To make it in a crowded field, you've got to specialize. Find unique ways to use what you are good at.

Further, the cutie marks symbolize what the ponies are best at, which doesn't mean they wouldn't be good at something else or enjoy something else.

Pinkie specializes in catering, but as a subset is good with cooking and such. However, that's not all she is good at. She is shown to be very skilled at skating and mechanics. She built a flying machine, and has operated a hot air balloon.

Just from all of this, there are a number of professions she could chose from if another caterer came into town.

edited 10th Mar '11 8:56:16 PM by TheMightyAnonym

Makes me wonder what sort of imports/exports Ponyville (and the rest of Equestria for that matter) deals with. Does Cloudsdale export clouds to all parts of Equestria. It seems like one of the more industrial cities in the country.

edited 10th Mar '11 9:35:41 PM by SandJosieph

Really? Fine.

Equastria is a Crapsack World for several reasons.

• Unequal education. How many males have you seen speak properly? The servant dragon and maybe royalty?
• Static economy which shows signs of either monopoly or communism, neither of which works well in the long run.
• A monarch with powers far beyond anyone else's.
• Caste system, you can only go into areas that you born into, thus the marks on the ponies.

How has that place not gone into civil war yet? Oh right, because the ponies have been taught about love and friendship. Brainwashed you might say. Everything is cheery in this place, nothing is wrong. Don't question it.

What happens to criminals?

Orbital friendship beam?

There's a reason criminals don't exist. They're either judged to be sufficiently brainwashed with love and friendship and consider it a minor offense or... they just don't appear again, which would be why there's so many ponies but very few adult horses. They don't last that long.

And you know how old are the ponies are... how?

The main cast is around 15-18 years old, but outside of them, are you a cartoon pony expert?

Recent observations of mine:

It would seem to me that Equestria is communist-ish by necessity. One must keep in mind that the ponies must operate on a strict set of tasks in order to keep the weather working. If they were to cease, it's quite possible that Equestria could become a wasteland.

Another observation is that for the ponies, specializing in tasks other than those pertaining to the cutie mark they have is unheard of. They clearly are shown to be capable of multiple tasks, though, and there doesn't seem to be anything stopping them all from stepping outside their skill. However, it just never happens.

When Applebloom first started trying to get a cutie mark, she was comforted because she potential to become anything she wants, and those with cutie marks - like the episode's antagonists - are stuck. If they can be anything they want to be, does that mean the people with cutie marks can't? Or has nobody ever asked?

Silly question, but since when have ponies been juveniles that grow up into adult horses? This confuses me.

Wow this turned outto be exactly what I thougth it was. i'm shocked and disturbed.