A Monopoly board.
Background
Monopoly, one of the most popular board games in the world, was not actually created to celebrate capitalist success but to rather criticize it. Invented in 1903 by Lizzie Magie, under the name "The Landlord's Game," this board game was designed to demonstrate the negative aspects of wealth concentration and the benefits that come from economic systems where wealth is more evenly distributed to individuals. Magie, a feminist with progressive political views, was influenced by Henry George's economic theories, especially his idea of a single tax on land. She intended her game to educate players on how land monopolies can lead to economic inequality, using two sets of rules—one that showcased George's tax ideas and another which would form the basis of today's Monopoly.
The History of Monopoly
"The Landlord's Game" first went around only to intellectuals and reformers, where it was played and adapted. During the 1930s, when the Great Depression was happening, Charles Darrow came across this game, made modifications, and named it Monopoly. He then approached Parker Brothers with his version. Although his game was initially rejected, it was later accepted after Darrow's homemade sets sold well. Parker Brothers bought the rights to the game in 1935 and gave the game’s credit to Darrow, thus ignoring Magie's contributions. However, Magie was still paid $500 for her patent in the same year, but her role was mostly forgotten.
Hasbro bought out Parker Brothers in 1991, incorporating Monopoly into its lineup. Since then, they have created numerous versions of Monopoly, from localized versions to pop culture editions like "Monopoly: Game of Thrones," with sales reportedly exceeding 275 million copies worldwide. This has generated billions in revenue for them, making Monopoly one of the best-selling board games ever.
How Monopoly Works
A Monopoly board with highly developed properties.
Setup:
The board features 40 spaces, including properties, railroads, utilities, Chance and Community Chest cards, Jail, and Go.
Players choose tokens to move around the board.
Each player starts with a set amount of play money, and two dice are used for movement.
Gameplay:
Players roll dice to move; if they land on an unowned property, they can buy it or auction it.
Landing on another's property requires paying rent, which escalates with property development (houses/hotels).
Properties can be developed with houses/hotels once a player owns all properties of one color group (thus making a color set/monopoly).
Chance and Community Chest cards can alter gameplay with fines, rewards, or movement changes.
If players can't pay, they must sell or mortgage assets, leading to bankruptcy if they can't meet their debts.
Winning the Game:
The game ends with one player left standing after all others go bankrupt.
Strategies for Winning
Property Acquisition:
Focus on buying every property on the board, especially those that will give you a color set.
Trading:
Trade smartly to get properties and make color sets. Effective trading can be more beneficial than waiting for random landings.
Cash Management:
Keep cash on hand for unexpected costs or buying opportunities. Don't over-invest in houses or hotels too soon.
Development Strategy:
Build houses to maximize rent income before considering hotels, as the rent increase from one to three houses is substantial.
Bankruptcy Tactics:
Strategically let opponents go bankrupt to buy their assets at auctions.
Defensive Play:
If you're not in the lead, focus on surviving by managing cash flow and avoiding high-rent properties.
Psychology:
Understanding your opponents' strategies and bluffing can be important in negotiations or deciding when to push for a win.
Monopoly, while now a commercial success, began as an educational tool to critique the concentration of wealth, and it helps show the economic inequalities that can come from monopolistic practices. Funnily, its transformation into a game celebrating wealth accumulation goes against the very concepts Magie had in mind when she developed the game.