Western Europe Political & Economies

Objectives 10A Describe the forces that determine the distribution of goods and services in free enterprise, socialist, and communist economic systems 10 B Classify where specific Countries fall on the economic spectrum 13B Compare maps of voting patterns or political boundaries to make inferences about distribution of political power 21A analyze and evaluate the validity, and utility of multiple sources of geographic information such as primary and secondary sources, aerial photographs, and maps.

Warm-Up List all the different types of governments you can think of.

Warm up part Dux What are the 3 identifying economic systems in the Economic Spectrum? Draw it.

Governments of Western Europe Western European governments are generally evenly split between republics and constitutional monarchies. Republics: Iceland, Ireland, Portugal, France, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, San Marino, and Malta. Constitutional monarchies: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Spain, Andorra, Monaco, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.

2-2-1 What is the Main difference between a Republic and Constitutional Monarchy?

Republic A republic is a form of government in which affairs of state are a "public matter” in which public offices are consequently appointed or elected rather than privately accommodated. Most often a republic is a sovereign country, but there are also subnational entities that are referred to as republics,

Constitutional Monarchy A constitutional monarchy is a form of government in which a monarch acts as head of state within the perimeters of a written constitution. Most constitutional monarchies employ a parliamentary system: o Monarch have strictly Ceremonial duties or may have Reserve Powers o Most power resides in Parliament and the Prime Minister

2-2-1 Which form of Government do we have in the United States? Are there any advantages of one form over the other?

Economies A Command Economy, can be best described by government deciding what and how much to produce. A Socialist Economy has central planning of economy but with public or collective ownership of means of production. A Free Market, can be described by being Unregulated by government, Supply an Demand determining prices, and is consumer driven

2-2-1 France: Where do they fall on the Economic Spectrum? The French economy is diversified across all sectors. The government has partially or fully privatized many large companies, including Air France, France Telecom, Renault, and Thales. However, the government maintains a strong presence in some sectors, particularly power, public transport, and defense industries. With at least 82 million foreign tourists per year, France is the most visited country in the world and maintains the third largest income in the world from tourism. France's leaders remain committed to a capitalism in which they maintain social equity by means of laws, tax policies, and social spending that mitigate economic inequality.

2-2-1 Serbia: Where do they fall on the Economic Spectrum? Serbia has a transitional economy largely dominated by market forces, but the state sector remains significant in certain areas and many institutional reforms are needed. The economy relies on manufacturing and exports, driven largely by foreign investment. MILOSEVIC-era mismanagement of the economy, an extended period of international economic sanctions, civil war, and the damage to Yugoslavia's infrastructure and industry during the NATO airstrikes in 1999 left the economy only half the size it was in After the ousting of former Federal Yugoslav President MILOSEVIC in September 2000, the Democratic Opposition of Serbia (DOS) coalition government implemented stabilization measures and embarked on a market reform program.

2-2-1 Italy: Where do they fall on the Economic Spectrum? Italy has a diversified industrial economy, which is divided into a developed industrial north, dominated by private companies, and a less-developed, highly subsidized, agricultural south, where unemployment is higher. The Italian economy is driven in large part by the manufacture of high-quality consumer goods produced by small and medium-sized enterprises, many of them family-owned. Italy also has a sizable underground economy, which by some estimates accounts for as much as 17% of GDP. These activities are most common within the agriculture, construction, and service sectors. Italy is the third-largest economy in the euro-zone, but its exceptionally high public debt and structural impediments to growth have rendered it vulnerable to scrutiny by financial markets.