Economic Systems of Government:

In this class we will examine several basic models of government.  For each form of government you will be asked to consider the following questions:

     (1) how is this economic system structured? (How does it work?)

     (2) what are the benefits/advantages of this form of economy?

     (3) what are the disadvantages/dangers of this form of economy?

     (4) how is capital transferred in this form of government?

     (5) what historical/current examples of this type are there?

The 6 basic models we will examine in class are as follows (key terms are indicated in parentheses):

     Laissez-Faire Capitalism (Classical Liberalism, Libertarians, free market, NAFTA, outsourcing, Adam Smith's Wealth of Nations)

     Communism (Marxism, Stalinism, Maoism, atheism, Das Kapital, The Communist Manifesto)

     Socialism

     Feudalism (manorialism, vassals)

     Mercantilism (Mother Country)

     Fascism (Nazism, Hitler, Franco, Mussolini)

California State Framework and Guidelines - Grade 12