Andy tries to help April identify a job that she may be interested in, but she has reasons to hate each of the ones he names. While they may pay well, and she may be qualified for them, the non-pecuniary (non-wage) aspects of the job are just as important as the salary for the job.
See more: Labor, non-pecuniary factors, preferences for work
Leslie tries obtaining a large parcel of local land to build a park in honor of the history of Pawnee. When the group arrives at JJ’s Diner, they learn that the diner will be shutting down because of a new owner. Leslie discusses the growth that Pawnee has been experiencing, but laments the loss of some of Pawnee’s charm.
See more: development, gentrification, growth, monopolistic competition, standard of living
The Parks Department is trying to determine where to eat and Donna suggests sushi. Andy initially declines because he claims that he is allergic, but it turns out he just thinks he’s allergic. Every time he eats 80 pieces of sushi he gets sick. He probably isn’t allergic, but instead is experiencing decreasing returns (negative marginal returns).
See more: decreasing utility, diminishing returns, negative utility, utility
The Parks Department is holding a garage sale to help raise funds for Jerry’s medical bills. The scene starts with April and Andy trying to decide the appropriate price for a hat that has sentimental value for Andy. Later, Tom tries selling a coat he had paid $150 dollars for. Tom marks the coat up to $200 because he put a scorpion on the back of it, but the customer doesn’t seem to think that’s an appropriate price for this venue.
See more: costs, inputs Prices, prices, subjective value, value, value added, willingness to buy, willingness to sell
Leslie, Ron, and April decide to hold a meeting with the different government departments to discuss gender equality issues in Pawnee. The only problem is each department sends male representatives and the commission is composed entirely of male representatives. When questioned about it, one member points out Leslie as being female, but then asks her to go get more snacks.
See more: discrimination, equality, gender, gender equality, labor, occupational segregation, sexual harassment, women in the workplace
During a gender equality meeting, Leslie points out that the Sanitation Department has only one female employee, and she’s a secretary. Leslie questions whether the Sanitation Department is discriminating against women in the well-paid job of garbage collector, but the office workers claim its because not enough women apply for the job because it’s physically demanding.
See more: compensating differentials, discrimination, gender, hiring discrimination, occupational segregation, statistical discrimination
Andy and April break into City Hall to get Leslie and Ben’s marriage license, but April decides she may want to take the entire stack of marriage applications for everyone in Pawnee. April doesn’t want anyone else to get married because it makes it less special for her and Andy.
See more: diminishing returns, positional good
Ron owes a large settlement, but keeps his money stored in the form of gold and palladium. While the rest of the office thinks this is a really neat idea, they question whether he knows how much money he actually has since it’s not stored in paper money. Ron is confident in the weight of his money, but not its value.
See more: commodity money, fiat money, medium of exchange, monetary policy, money, store of value, unit of account
Ron and Chris disagree with the best way to motivate workers. While Chris takes a more intrinsic approach, Ron focuses on base level needs of fear and hunger, but also on money. Ron’s extrinsic approach comes from his belief in markets being able to serve as a motivator. Both agree that motivating workers can increase productivity, but disagree on the best method of doing so.
See more: incentives, labor, motivation, pay and productivity, productivity, self-interest
Tom’s Bistro’s soft opening didn’t go well, so he thinks it’s time to quit. Even though Ron recommends sticking it out, Tom is phased by the sunk cost fallacy; he loves quitting! April comes to the rescue and convinces him to at least try a full opening.
See more: behavioral, costs, entrepreneurship, firm decisions, production, sunk costs, variable costs
Economics of Parks & Recreation 