UNIT VI Comparative Government

Explorations What about other countries?  Political Labels  Fundamental Law  Political Systems  Three Powers  Economic Systems

Essential Question 1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of the political and economic systems of other nations around the world?

Political Philosophies

They Have Them Too Liberal  Open to change, Government promotes equality & social freedom Conservative  Traditional solutions, Government promotes order & economic freedom Moderate  Middle of the Road, Promotes compromise

Worldwide Governments Constitutional Monarchy Sultanate Junta – Military Dictatorship Theocracy Oligarchy  Tribal, etc Communism Socialism Parliamentary Democracy

Political Parties

Differences US is a conservative nation by comparison  Our liberal parties are very conservative abroad Other nations have many more political parties  Proportional Representation Other nations’ political parties change more frequently

“Democratic Socialist” Similar to socialism but with a strong emphasis on democratic decision-making both in politics and economic affairs Very common party in European countries

Economic Systems

Free Enterprise Private individuals control production, wages, prices, etc “Invisible Hand” controls the market  Supply & Demand No guarantees

Central Planning Government controls control production, wages, prices, etc Series of Five Year Plans Basic needs are met for all

Mixed Economies Free Enterprise has major flaws Central Planning has major flaws All nations today have a combination of the two  Spectrum

UNIT VI Comparative Government

Economic Systems

How Does An Economy Work? Nations must answer 3 basic Economic question:  What goods and services should be produced?  How should the goods and services be produced?  For who should the goods and services be produced? The way a nation answers these questions defines their economy.

Types of Economic Systems All economic systems fall into one of two broad categories:  Market (or Capitalist) System  Command (or Planned) System No economy can be purely market or purely command Elements of both economies are found in all systems this makes all economies mixed

A Pure Market Economy No government involvement in economic decisions The government lets the people answer the three basic economic questions  What? Customers decide through their purchases  How? This is left up to the individual business –BUT- a business must be profitable  Who? People who have money can buy more – this encourages hard work and investments

A Pure Command Economy The Government controls the factors of production and makes all the decisions The government is responsible for answering the three economic questions  What? One person ( a dictator) or a group of government officials (central planning committee) decide what is to be produced  How? The government owns all the factors of production and makes all the decisions about production  Who? The government decide who receives what is produced in the economy

Mixed Economies Some government involvement through mandatory laws and regulations that businesses follow  Labor Laws, Minimum Wage The government provides social programs for those who need help  Medicare, welfare All economies are mixed they are classified based on how much the government is involved in the process

Continuum of Economic Systems Command Economy Communism On the far left Market Economy Capitalism On the far right Socialism Left of center but right of communism

Capitalism An economic system characterized by private ownership of businesses and marketplace competition The government is concerned about its people and takes care of those who cannot care for themselves The political system is a democracy with leaders elected by the people The United States and Japan are examples of a Capitalist Economy

Socialism Increased government involvement in people’s lives and the economy The main goal is to keep prices low for all people and to provide employment for many The government runs key industries and makes economic decisions More social services for all and free or low cost medical care Canada, Germany, Sweden, Australia and Great Britain are all examples of socialist economies

Communism The government runs everything (Totalitarian government) Only one political party, the Communist party, runs the government All people able to work are assigned jobs – there is virtually no unemployment The government assigns housing, schools, and occupations There is little to no economic freedom Cuba, North Korea, and China are examples

Economies In Transition The breakup of the Soviet Union is the best example of a country changing from a Command Economy to a Market Economy State owned industries have been privatized (government owned businesses are sold to private citizens) Today even socialist countries are selling some of their government owned businesses to individuals

Democracy in US and Great Britain

United States Written Constitutio n

Republic with an elected President United States

Separation of Powers into three branches of government United States

Regularl y schedule d elections —Nov. United States

Political parties aid in the election process United States

Supreme Court decide according to constitution

United States Power is divided between levels: Federalism

Great Britain Unwritten Constitution

Great Britain Limited Monarchy Prime Minister represents majority party

Great Britain No separation of Powers— real power rests with Parliament Parties keep power balanced

Great Britain No fixed date for elections Elections announced by Prime Minister

Great Britain Political parties play more role in governing process Parties help to form the government

Great Britain Courts rule according to precedent and acts of parliament

Great Britain No division of power: All power with Central Govt.

Both People enjoy right to vote…Must be at least 18

Both Civil Rights/ Liberties are guaranteed

Both Bicameral Legislature (Britain: House of Lords and Commons)

Both 2 Party System (Britain: Conservative and Labour)