Economics has been called "the dismal science" however, it can be a valuable tool to analyze any policy decision. Economic Thinking Outside the Box addresses two important issues that are not commonly associated with economics in The Market for Martyrs and Radical Religion and Solutions to Organ Donor Shortage.

U.S. Defense Policy has been shaped in response to the threat of religious extremism in recent years. Dr. Larry Iannaccone will discuss this topic from an economic perspective. The "market for martyrs" helps us understand the incentive structure facing suicide bombers, why only a small percentage of religious extremists actually become violent, and why these groups are so difficult to dismantle.