1. Chapter 3: American Free Enterprise Section 1

2. Objectives
Define the basic principles of the U.S. free enterprise system.
Describe the role of the consumer in the American economy.
Identify the constitutional protections that underlie free enterprise.
Explain why the government may intervene in the marketplace.

3. Introduction
Free enterprise makes it possible for people who have ideas and persistence to start businesses and make themselves successful.
Free enterprise also offers a great deal of economic freedom to the consumer.

4. What is Free Enterprise?

5. Principles of Free Enterprise
Characteristics of a free enterprise
Profit motive
businesspeople make decisions based on what will increase their profits.
Open opportunity
anyone can compete in the marketplace.

6. Principles, cont. three key economic rights Legal equity
everyone has the same legal rights.
Private property
own decisions about their own property.
Freedom to buy and sell
Checkpoint Answer: Legal equity, private property, and the freedom to buy and sell

7. The Constitution
The government is allowed to take property from an individual, paying fair market value for that property, when there is a public reason. This is known as eminent domain.

8. The Constitution, cont.
Under the constitution the government can tax and protect contracts

9. Major Federal Regulatory Agencies
Answers: Answers will vary. Possible answers: (a) CPSC (b) SEC (c) EEOC.