Political and Economic
Systems
World Geography
Cy-Woods HS
Economic Spectrum
Less government
More government
Political Spectrum
Political Systems
• Tell us how power is distributed within a region.
Democracy
• People hold all political power.
• Ex. Ancient Greece
Democracy
• Is the U.S. a democracy?
Democracy Index
Lighter = more democratic
Political Spectrum
Economic Spectrum
Less government
More government
Democracy
Republic
• People have the
power through
elected
representatives.
• Ex. U.S., Germany,
India
Political Spectrum
Economic Spectrum
Democracy
Less government
More government
Republic
Theocracy
• A system of
government in
which religious
leaders rule in the
name of God.
• Ex. Iran (Vatican
City)
Political Spectrum
Economic Spectrum
Republic
Democracy
Less government
More government
Theocracy
Absolute Monarchy
• Absolute power among his or her people.
• An absolute monarch wields unrestricted political
power over the sovereign state and its people.
• Ex: Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Dubai
Constitutional Monarchy
• king or queen acts as Head of State. The ability to
make and pass legislation resides with an elected
Parliament, not with the Monarch
• ex. United Kingdom, Belgium,
Sweden, Norway
Political Spectrum
Economic Spectrum
Constitutional Monarchy
Republic
Democracy
Less government
More government
Absolute Monarchy
Theocracy
Dictatorship
• An individual or
group holds
complete political
power (by force.)
• ex. North Korea
(under Kim Jongil), Germany
(under Hitler),
Soviet Union
(under Stalin)
Totalitarian (Dictatorship)
• Often times the people
do vote, but it doesn’t
matter who they vote
for.
• No term limits
• Some do have popular
support.
Absolute Monarchy
Theocracy
Dictatorship/
Totalitarian
Economic Spectrum
Constitutional Monarchy
Republic
Democracy
Less government
More government
Political Spectrum
Name That Dictator!
Name That Dictator!
Name That Dictator!
Name That Dictator!
Name That Dictator!
Name That Dictator
Name That Dictator!
Name That Dictator!
Name That Dictator!
Name That Dictator!
Add communism
Economic System
• Tied to the country’s political system.
• The way people produce and
exchange goods and services.
• 3 basic types:
Modern Economic Spectrum
Command Economy
more government
Socialism
Free Enterprise
less government
Command Economy
• Also known as
communist economy
• ex) Cuba and North
Korea
Command Economy
• Government controls
the factors of
production.
• determine job, own the
land, etc.
Command Economy
• Government
determines the
distribution of goods
and services.
• ration food/supplies,
who can own what
Command Economy
• Government provides
all basic needs.
• healthcare, shelter, etc.
Free Enterprise (Capitalism)
• Also known as market or
capitalist economy
• ex) U.S.
Free Enterprise (Capitalism)
• Private ownership of
factors of production.
• People own the land,
businesses, money, etc.
Free Enterprise (Capitalism)
• Consumer demand
controls production and
distribution.
• things are made
because people want
them
• market
Free Enterprise (Capitalism)
• Government provides
few/no basic needs.
• social programs,
welfare, etc.
Socialism
• Also known as mixed
economy
• ex) France, India, China
Socialism
• Major factors of
production owned by
government.
• energy, healthcare, etc.
• private owners too
Socialism
• Distribution of goods
and services
determined by both.
• a blend
Socialism
• Government
provides some
basic needs.
• healthcare, more
extensive social
programs, welfare,
etc.
• Emphasis on
“being fair” to all.
Levels of economic activities
• Just remember the POTATO…
Primary Activities
• Getting the raw materials for immediate use
or in the making of a final product.
• fishing, farming,
timber, mining
Don’t be a potato farmer!
Secondary Activities
• Adding value to materials by changing their
form.
Or oil into?
• Manufacturing
• Mark an advancing
economy.
Turn those potatoes into?.
Tertiary Activities
• Providing business or professional services.
• Usually seen in developed economies.
Sell french fries for business.
Quaternary Activities
• Provide information, management, and research
services by highly trained persons.
• only in places
with the highest
level of economic
development
Study potatoes and alter them.
No, it’s not real.