1. Political and Economic Systems 2 Important Traits of any Culture Political Systems: Government reflect beliefs about authority, independence and human rights Economics: reflect people’s ideas about the use of resources and distribution of wealth **200 independent countries which vary in size, population, government, military power, and economic importance

2. Countries Countries are defined by 4 characteristics • Territory (land, water, natural resources) • Population (size, and makeup varies) • Sovereignty (rule itself within it’s boundaries) • Government (make & enforce laws & policies) • Structure: unitary(Great Britian & Japan), federation (U.S.) or confederation • Authority: authoritarian, dictatorship, totalitarian, monarchy & democracy(direct and indirect (representatives)

3. Economic Questions • What (and how many) goods and services will be produced? • How will these products be produced? • How will the products, and the wealth gained from their sale be distributed?

4. Types of Economic SystemsTraditional Examples: Some S. American countries Amish

5. Types of Economic SystemsCommand Economy Examples: (communism) N. Korea Former USSR

6. Types of Economic SystemsMarket Economy/Free EnterprisePrimary form is called Capitalism Examples: United States Most European countries Canada Mexico Asia Africa South America Government Regulations (limited-health & environmental

7. Mixed Economy • Socialism: Government owns and runs some industry (transportation, communication, banking, coal mines, steel industry) and some private ownership “welfare states”-usually have high taxes to pay for services (housing, health care, child care, and pensions) so all people get the services