THE 5 THEMES OF SOCIAL STUDIES Government Economics Geography History Culture

5 THEMES OF SOCIAL STUDIESA government is when the people and/or

groups within a society makes the laws, sees that the laws are followed, and it settles disagreements about the laws.

Sound familiar?

GOVERNMENT Some governments are defined by their

political structure. Two broad types: Unlimited- where the rulers do what they want.

Totalitarian Dictatorship

Limited- Everyone, even the rulers, obey the laws.

Democracy Republic Monarchy Theocracy, Oligarchy, etc.

Some governments are defined by their economy. Capitalism Communism Socialism

What do you have with no government?

Anarchy Anarchy is a situation where there is no

government.  This can happen after a civil war in a country, when a government has been destroyed and rival groups are fighting to take its place.

POWER DISTRIBUTIONThere are 3 main types of government

that differ in how they distribute power:

1. Unitary Government2. Federal Government3. Confederate Government

UNITARY GOVERNMENT The constitution gives sole power to

the central government

Central government has the power to give or take powers from regional governments.

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT The constitution splits the power

between the central government and regional governments

Certain duties are allocated to each level of government

CONFEDERATE GOVERNMENT Constitution gives power to regional

governments

Central government is very weak

DICTATORSHIP Rule by a single leader who has not

been elected and may use force to keep control. In a military dictatorship, the army is in control. Usually, there is little or no attention to public opinion or individual rights.

TOTALITARIAN Rule by a single political party. 

People are forced to do what the government tells them and may also be prevented from leaving the country

THEOCRACY A form of government where the rulers

claim to be ruling on behalf of a set of religious ideas, or as direct agents of a deity.

MONARCHY A monarchy has a king or queen, who

sometimes has absolute power. Power is passed along through the family.

Most Monarchies today are known as a Parliamentary Monarchy.

Parliamentary Monarchy- the King or Queen acts as the Head of State but has only the power in the government given to them by the constitution of that country.

In the old days they had all control, like a dictator.

PARLIAMENTARY A parliamentary system is led by

representatives of the people. Each is chosen as a member of a political party and remains in power as long as his/her party does

REPUBLIC A republic is led by representatives of

the voters. Each is individually chosen for a set period of time.

OLIGARCHY/PLUTOCRACY A form of government which consists of

rule by an elite group who rule in their own interests, especially the accumulation of wealth and privilege. Only certain members of society have a valid voice in the government. This can reflect (but is not limited to) economic interests, a particular religious tradition (theocracy), or familial rule (monarchy).

REPUBLIC A republic is led by representatives of

the voters. Each is individually chosen for a set period of time.

DEMOCRACY In a democracy, the government is

elected by the people. Everyone who is eligible to vote - which is a majority of the population - has a chance to have their say over who runs the country. 

Democracy and Republic are often taken as one of the same thing, but there is a fundamental difference. 

While in both cases the government is elected by the people, in Democracy the majority rules according to their whims, while in the Republic the Government rule according to law.  This law is framed in the Constitution to limit the power of Government and ensuring some rights and protection to minorities and individuals.

OUR GOVERNMENT Structure Who represents us?

President and his Cabinet US Senate US House of Representatives Georgia State Leaders and Representatives

ECONOMICS - HOW PEOPLE PRODUCE, DISTRIBUTE, AND CONSUME THINGS

Producing pizzaDistributing

pizza Consuming pizza

PRINCIPLES OF ECONOMICS

1. Scarcity

2. Opportunity Cost

SCARCITY

Scarcity- unlimited wants of people and only limited resources.

OPPORTUNITY COST

Opportunity Cost – (trade-off) satisfying 1 want= giving up

opportunity to satisfy other wants.

Buy Pizza O

RSave for a CD

3 BASIC ECONOMIC QUESTIONS

1. WHAT to produce?

2. HOW to produce it?

3. WHO will get is?

ECONOMIC SYSTEM= THE METHOD A SOCIETY USES TO ANSWER THE 3 BASIC ECONOMIC QUESTIONS

NAME OF ECONOMY HOW IT ANSWERS THE 2 BASIC ECON QUESTIONS

Traditional Uses tradition/ same job as ancestors

Command Government/ Central Leader

Free Market Producers/ Consumers

PRODUCER- PERSON OR BUSINESS THAT SUPPLIES GOODS/SERVICES TO MAKE A PROFIT.

Profit- the difference between the producers cost and the selling price

Production- the act of making and providing goods/services

Bill Gates

Goods- any item that people make and use (ex. Toys, food, clothes, cars)

Services- things that people do for others (ex. Doctor, teacher)

Consumer- people and businesses that use goods/services to satisfy needs and wantsConsumption- the act of using goods/services

How are prices determined?

LAW OF SUPPLY AND DEMAND Supply = the amount of

goods/services that producers make.

Demand = the amount of goods/services consumers are willing to buy.

Demand

Supply

=Price increase

Supply

Demand = Price decrease

FACTORS OF PRODUCTION- THINGS NEEDED TO PRODUCE GOODS/SERVICES

1. Natural Resources- Minerals, water, plants, soil, etc.

2. Human Resources- Talents, skills, knowledge, etc.

3. Capital Resources- machines, tools, etc.

4. Entrepreneurship- owners/managers of businesses bring FOP together.

WORLD ECONOMY Interdependent- nations depend on trade

with one another for goods/services

Exports- goods sold from US to other countries

Imports- goods from other countries to US.

WHY DO NATIONS TRADE?1. Cannot produce everything they need within

their country

2. Some countries have different location, climate, natural resources=produce certain goods at lower cost.

3. Specializing=nations put money, resources, and labor into making the things they are most efficient at producing.

GDP (Gross Domestic Product) – the total value of the goods and services produced in a country during a given time period.

A measure of the size of a country’s economy “Per capita” = per person High GDP = more efficient economy (good),

usually a higher standard of living for the citizens

When countries invest in their human and capital resources, it helps their GDP

Trade Barrier – any law or practice that a government uses to limit free trade between countries

Initially used to raise money and protect American products from foreign competition

Tariff – a fee charged for goods or services brought into a country

Quota – a limit on the amount of product that may be imported during a given time

Embargo – Restrictions placed on imports or exports of certain goods Sometimes used by a country to show it

does not approve of another country’s policies

Shall we talk about international trade now or later?

Now Later