Why Do Economies Grow? Lesson 3

Colonial Economy Mystery North America offered no known gold or silver for the taking. There were no spices to trade. Eventually, however, the colonies were able to prosper. Why?

Mystery Nations

Who is Wealthy? Some nations of the world have become wealthy, while others have not. What do you think are the most important reasons this has been so?

Who Has the Highest Income? Country A Wealth Score = ___ Give wealthiest 4, next wealthiest 3 next wealthiest 2 and poorest 1 Under European colonial rule from early 1500s until 1816 Benefits from rich natural resources including fertile plains, lead, zinc, iron ore, petroleum and uranium Population of nearly 40 million people in 2004 (small for a nation of this size) Land size about three-tenths the size of the United States Country B Wealth Score = ___ Give wealthiest 4, next wealthiest 3 next wealthiest 2 and poorest 1 Under European colonial rule from early 1500s until 1822 Benefits from rich natural resources including bauxite, gold, iron ore, nickel, phosphates, tin, uranium, petroleum, hydropower and timber Population of over 184 million Land area slightly smaller than the United States

Who Has the Highest Income? Country C Wealth Score = ___ Give wealthiest 4, next wealthiest 3 next wealthiest 2 and poorest 1 Under European rule from the nineteenth century until 1947 Benefits from rich natural resources including large coal reserves, iron ore, manganese, mica, titanium ore, chromite, natural gas, petroleum, limestone and agricultural land Population of more than 1 billion Land area slightly more than one-third of the United States Country D Wealth Score = ___ Give wealthiest 4, next wealthiest 3 next wealthiest 2 and poorest 1 Under European rule from 1841 to 1997 Good harbor but no natural resources Population of nearly 7 million Land area six times larger than Washington D.C.

Mystery Nations Revealed

Country A Argentina Population 39,921,833 (July 2006 est.) GDP per capita 13,700 (2005 est) Life Expectancy Literacy Rate 97.1% Infant Mortality deaths/1,000 live births

Country B Brazil Population 188,078,227 (July 2006 est.) GDP per capita 8,400 (2005 est) Life expectancy Literacy rate 86.4% Infant mortality 28.6 deaths/1,000 live births

Country C India Population 1,095,351,995 (July 2006 est.) GDP per capita 3,400 (2005 est) Life Expectancy Literacy Rate 59.5% Infant Mortality deaths/1,000 live births

Country D Hong Kong Population 6,940,432 (July 2006 est.) GDP per capita $37,400 (2005 est.) Life Expectancy Literacy Rate 93.5% Infant Mortality 2.95 deaths/1,000 live births

Two Additional Cases

United States Population 298,444,215 (July 2006 est.) GDP per capita $42,000 (2005 est.) Life Expectancy Literacy Rate 99% Infant Mortality 6.43 deaths/1,000 live births

Saudi Arabia Population 27,019,731 (July 2006 est.) GDP per capita $12,900 (2005 est.) Life Expectancy Literacy Rate 78.8% Infant Mortality deaths/1,000 live births

Natural Resources Paradox Natural resources have contributed to the economic success of some nations. Yet, many nations with vast stocks of natural resources are poor.

Factors Associated with Economic Growth Lesson 3 Activity 3.1

Activity 3.1 Factors Associated with Economic Growth Private Property Rights Question A: Would you keep a savings account or want to own a farm in a nation that expropriated savings and farmland every few years? Physical Capital Question B: What incentives might encourage the development of physical capital? Human Capital Question C: What incentives could a nation provide to encourage the development of human capital?

Activity 3.1 Factors Associated with Economic Growth Investment Question D: What incentives might encourage people to save and invest? Infrastructure Question E: How is infrastructure similar to investment?

Be a Planet Planner Lesson 3 Activity 3.2

Activity 3.2 Be A Planet Planner The Spanish and the English had much in common. Both were powerful European colonial powers. But the results of colonial development led to different outcomes in North and South America. Why?

Be A Planet Planner You have just been appointed by Dr. Julie Verne to the United Nations Intergalactic Development Administration (UNIDA) Task Force for Planet Z93. Your job is to advise Dr. Verne on Z93 development plans by applying two rules: 1. People respond to incentives in predictable ways. Rewarding people for their work, for example, encourages them to be productive. 2. People create economic systems that influence individual choices and incentives. In order for an economy to grow, its rules must include a system of incentives that encourages people to produce.

English Development England by the 17 th century had transferred some power from the king to the parliament. Individual property rights were better defined and enforced. The Pilgrims experimented with common land ownership but nearly starved. In 1623, they replaced group land ownership with individual ownership. “This had very good success for it made all hands very industrious, so as much more corn was planted than otherwise would have been by any means the Governor or any other could use.” William Bradford Of Plymouth Plantation,

Spanish Development Spain in the 16 th century was an absolute monarchy. Individual property rights were not well defined and enforced. The plan for development was to seek gold and riches - - a transfer of wealth, not expansion.

Questions for Discussion How did the political institutions differ between Spain and England? Describe ways in which Spain influenced the economic development of South and Central America? Describe ways in which the English developed the eastern coast of North America? Policy Recommendations Who should be allowed to own property in Z93? Individuals? Government? Why?