Geography and Economy Quiz

Learning Objectives

• Summarize historical changes to the economy
• Analyze patterns of employment and unemployment in the United States
• Discuss the importance of corporations to the U.S. economy
• Examine various types of political systems around the world
• Analyze the operation of the U.S. political system
• Explore global patterns involving revolution, terrorism, war, and peace

The Power of Society

• Employment patterns in selected occupations are affected by societal factors
• "High-prestige" jobs tend to be filled by people from privileged backgrounds
• "Low-prestige" jobs are more likely to be filled by those from disadvantaged racial or ethnic backgrounds.

The Economy: An Overview

• The economy is a social institution that organizes production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services
• Goods range from necessities (food, clothing, and shelter) to luxury items (e.g., cars, swimming pools)
• Services are activities that benefit people (e.g., priests, physicians, teachers, computer specialists)
• Three technological revolutions (agricultural, industrial, information) have reorganized the economy and transformed social life.

The Agricultural Revolution

• Early societies were hunter-gatherers
• Agricultural technology (plows) led to increased food production (5000 years ago)
• Specialization of labor (non-food producing jobs) arose from surplus food production
• Permanent settlements (towns) and trade networks developed

The Industrial Revolution

• A technological revolution in the 18th century (starting in England)
• New energy sources (steam engine) led to more powerful machines
• Centralization of work in factories
• Manufacturing and mass production
• Specialization of labor; wage labor
• Changed the standard of living

The Information Revolution

• A technological breakthrough: the computer
• Moved from material to non-material products
• Shift from industrial work to service work
• Increased the ability for "virtual offices

Global Snapshot

• High-income nations: Three out of four jobs in the tertiary (service) sector.
• Percent of economic output in low-, middle-, and high-income countries

Global Map 13-1 Agricultural Employment

• The primary sector is largest in least developed nations
• The poorest countries of Africa and Asia have half of the labor force in agriculture
• Rich countries have only two percent of the labor force in agriculture

Capitalism

• Private ownership of property, pursuit of profit
• Competition and consumer choice
• Limited government interference

Socialism

• Collective ownership of property, pursuit of collective goals
• Centrally controlled, command economy
• Social services available to all equally

Welfare State

• Combines a mostly market-based economy with extensive welfare programs (many European countries)
• Public ownership of some industries and services, including health care, state regulation of many industries
• High taxation funds social programs

State Capitalism

• Companies are privately owned but cooperate closely with the government
• Usually include a strong partnership with the government
• Examples include Japan, South Korea, and Singapore

Global Map 13-2 Service-Sector Employment

• The tertiary (service) sector grows with industrialization
• In high-income countries, about ¾ of the labor force performs service work.

Globalization

• Today's economy is global, meaning economic activity crosses national borders
• Big companies operate internationally
• Products pass through multiple countries

Politics in the U.S.

• The U.S. is a representative democracy.
• Political culture emphasizes individualism and limited government intervention
• The welfare state provides numerous services to the population (increasing throughout U.S. history)

Theories of Power in Society

• Pluralist Model: Power is widely dispersed among interest groups.
• Power Elite Model: Power is concentrated among a small group of wealthy and influential individuals.
• Marxist Model: The political system is biased and shaped by the capitalist economy

Political Systems

• Monarchy: Single family rules generationally
• Democracy: Power resides with the people.
• Authoritarianism: Limits people's participation in government
• Totalitarianism: Government controls all aspects of life

Revolution, Terrorism, War, and Peace

• Revolutions involve overthrowing one political system for another
• Terrorism is a political strategy, not related to conventional warfare, with acts of violence against civilians
• War:Organized armed conflicts
• Peace: Nonviolent solutions are sought

Unemployment and Underemployment

• Unemployment rate is not the same across different demographics (in 2016, it was 4.9%)
• Young people and non-Hispanic African Americans have higher unemployment rates
• Underemployment refers to individuals working fewer hours than they want, or having jobs that do not use their skills

Workplace Diversity: Race and Gender

• U.S. workforce is becoming increasingly diverse in terms of race and gender
• Opportunities to work in these populations should increase in coming years due to birth rates

Workplace Issues

• Temporary workers
• Outsourcing (sending U.S. jobs overseas)
• Technological disruption (fewer jobs with automation/technology)
• Decline of labor unions

Making the Grade: The Economy

• The primary sector involves raw materials
• The secondary sector transforms raw materials into manufactured goods
• The tertiary sector provides services

Social Class, Gender, and the Military

• Lower-income individuals are more likely to serve in the military
• Fewer women serve in the military than men
• The military has become more racially diverse, but social class remains a factor