Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Measure of an economy’s ___________ and ______________ (monetary measure - $13.78 trillion in 2007) Total value of all the ___________ goods and services produced in a country during a single year. (used cares are not counted in GDP because second hand sales are not counted) Used to measure ____________ of ___________ (quality of life based on the possession of ____________ and ____________ that make life easier) in a country. Measures ___________ not quality. Per Capita GDP – total GDP divided by the country’s population – U.S. was $45,800 in 2007 Compared yearly to check growth of the country. ____________ GDP from previous year = __________ economy. _____________GDP from previous year = _________economy. Economic Systems Three major types 1. 2. 3. What are 2 distinguishing factors of economic systems? Traditional Economy Economic decisions are made by ___________ handed down through generations. Hunting, farming, and gathering No Technology Activities center around the __________ Men and women have ______________ social roles Found in rural, non-industrialized areas. (Africa, S. America, Asia) Command Economy ____________ makes all economic decisions. (China, N.Korea, Vietnam, Cuba, and the former Soviet Union). No individual freedoms! What are 2 advantages of a command economy? What are 2 disadvantages of a command economy? 1 Market Economy Decisions are made by the principles of ____________ and ____________. __________________________ - People buy, sell, and produce whatever they want. People can work where they want. Capitalism - __________ ____________ own most means of production. What is Free Enterprise? 7 characteristics of a market economy 1. ___________ - exchanges here determine prices of goods and services. It’s the ______ and ______ exchange of goods and services between buyers and sellers. 2. Consumer Sovereignty – The consumer is ‘_____’ of the market. a. Why are the consumers ‘king’ of the market? b. It exists only in _____________ based economies. 3. Economic Freedom – freedom of choice with _________________________. a. Example – an entrepreneur starts a business and it fails. The gov’t usually will not help out. 4. ______________ ______________ ____________ - the freedom to own, use, or dispose of our property as long as it doesn’t interfere with the rights of others. 5. Competition – struggle between buyers and sellers to get the best products at the lowest prices. a. ________________ thrives on competition b. Rewards the most ____________ producers. 6. Profit motive - the driving force that encourages individuals and organizations to improve their material wellbeing. a. What is the purpose of a profit motive? b. It is the reason for growth in a market system 7. Voluntary Exchange – the act of buyers and sellers ____________ and ____________ engaging in market transactions. a. Both buyers and sellers must feel a benefit. Mixed Economy Any combination of Economic systems The United States is a mixed economy because ____________ and _____ ___________ exist with government regulations. What are some services the U.S. govt. provides? Has some gov’t regulation At certain times gov’t can take control of the means of production. 2 Capitalism & Free Enterprise The U.S economy is built on a ____________ economy, but government still plays a role. Free Enterprise - ___________ gov’t interference Capitalism - ___________ citizens own and use factors of production (_____________________________, _____________, capital, & entrepreneurship) to make a profit. The Rise of Capitalism 2 concepts developed 1. 2. 1200s trade routes opened between Europe and the East. Silk roads, Marco Polo Throughout hundreds of years trade increased Developed ideas of wealth ________ __________ Scottish Economist Wrote Wealth of Nations Basic Principles of Economics Individuals who seek profit benefit all of society ________-_________ - to leave alone What are the 2 main concepts of Laissez-Faire economics? 1. 2. 3 Socialism What is the main belief of socialism? ______ ________ Wrote “The Communist Manifesto” Socialist – believed industrialized nations divided into bourgeoisie (_____________) & proletariat (________) Predicted revolution of the proletariat Believed socialism would develop into ___________. Communism Communism – one class would evolve where property would be ____________________ held & there would be no need for _________________________. Built on the idea of ___________________. Transitioning Economies Former Soviet Union & the Soviet Bloc Inefficiency of _____________________ economies led to no or very small growth Transition of this type of economy let to the transition from ________________________ to ____________________. Why do you think a transition from one economy to another would be difficult? NAFTA North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) – agreement between, ____________, ______________, and the _____________ where ___________________ were almost completely eliminated (“Free trade”) Began on Jan. 1 1994 4