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Economic Systems

Economic Systems. Economic Systems. An economic system describes how a country’s economy is organized Because of the problem of scarcity , every country needs a system to determine how to use its productive resources Scarcity = not having enough of something

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Economic Systems

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  1. Economic Systems

  2. Economic Systems • An economic system describes how a country’s economy is organized • Because of the problem of scarcity, every country needs a system to determine how to use its productive resources • Scarcity = not having enough of something • An economic system must answer 3 questions…

  3. Economic Systems • WHAT TO PRODUCE? (What kinds of goods and services should be produced?) • HOW TO PRODUCE? (What productive resources are used to produce goods and services?) • FOR WHOM TO PRODUCE? (Who gets to have the goods and services?

  4. Three Types of Economic Systems: • 1. Traditional Economy • 2. Command Economy • 3. Market Economy • * Most countries are… Mixed Economies! (Market + Command)

  5. Traditional Economy • An economic system in which economic decisions are based on customs and beliefs • People will make what they always made & will do the same work their parents did • Exchange of goods is done through Bartering: trading without using money

  6. Traditional Economy • Who decides what to produce? • People follow their customs and make what their ancestors made • Who decides how to produce goods & services? • People grow & make things the same way that their ancestors did • Who are the goods & services produced for? • People in the village who need them

  7. Traditional Economy • Examples: • Villages in Africa and South America • the Inuit tribes in Canada • the caste system in parts of rural India • the Aborigines in Australia

  8. Command System Government makes all economic decisions & owns most of the property Governmental planning groups determine such things as the prices of goods/services & the wages of workers This system has not been very successful & more and more countries are abandoning it

  9. Command Economy • Who decides what to produce? • Government makes all economic decisions • Who decides how to produce goods and services? • Government decides how to make goods/services • Who are the goods and services produced for? • Whoever the government decides to give them to

  10. Command System Countries with communist governments have Command economies Examples: There are no truly pure command economic systems, but close countries are: North Korea, former Soviet Union, Cuba *Germany and Russia have moved away from having a Command economy since 1991. Now they have a Mixed economy.

  11. Market Economy • An economic system in which production and distribution questions are answered by prices and profits (supply and demand) • Most of the resources are owned by private citizens • Economic decisions are based on Free Enterprise(competition between companies) • Important economic questions are not answered by gov. but by individuals • Gov. does not tell a business what goods to produce or what price to charge

  12. Market Economy • Who decides what to produce? • Businesses base decisions on supply and demand and free enterprise (PRICE) • Who decides how to produce goods and services? • Businesses decide how to produce goods • Who are the goods and services produced for? • consumers

  13. Market Economy There are no truly pure Market economies, but the United States is close.

  14. In a truly free market economy, the government would not be involved at all • There would be no laws to protect workers form unfair bosses • There would be no rules to make sure that credit cards were properly protected • Many societies have chosen to have some rules to protect consumers, workers, and businesses (MIXED) • These rules reduce the freedoms that businesses have, but they also protect the workers and consumers

  15. Mixed Economy • Market + Command = Mixed • There are no pure command or market economies. • To some degree, all modern economies exhibit characteristics of both systems and are often referred to as mixed economies. • Most economies are closer to one type of economic system than another • Businesses own most resources and determine what and how to produce, but the government regulates certain industries

  16. Mixed Economy • Who decides what to produce? • businesses • Who decides how to produce goods and services? • Businesses, but the government regulates certain industries • Who are the goods and services produced for? • consumers

  17. Mixed Economies • Most democratic countries fall in this category (there are no truly pure Market or Command economies). • Examples: Brazil, Mexico, Canada, UK, US, Germany, Russia, Australia, etc.

  18. Economy Continuum Command Market UK US Germany Cuba Russia Australia

  19. Which Economic System Is Best? • Market system has proven to be best because it promotes the goals of growth, freedom, & efficiency • Citizens are free to own their own property and use it in the most efficient and profitable way • Command and Traditional systems sometimes offer more security, but are not nearly as strong in efficiency, growth, freedom, and environmental quality

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