Africa's Economic Systems PDF

Africa’s South Africa, Nigeria, and Kenya © Brain Wrinkles • Do you remember the three questions that every country must answer when developing its economic plan? 1. What goods/services will be produced? 2. How will goods/services be produced? 3. Who will consume the goods/services? • The way a...

Africa’s South Africa, Nigeria, and Kenya © Brain Wrinkles • Do you remember the three questions that every country must answer when developing its economic plan? 1. What goods/services will be produced? 2. How will goods/services be produced? 3. Who will consume the goods/services? • The way a country answers these questions determines what kind of economic system it will have: • All economic decisions are based on customs, traditions, & beliefs of the past. • People will make what they always made and do the same things their parents did. • The exchange of goods is done through bartering. • Bartering = trading without using money • Rural African villages have traditional economies. African Village Traditional Economy • All economic decisions are made by the Government. • The government owns most of the property, sets the prices of goods, determines the wages of workers, plans what will be made…everything. • This system has not been very successful; more and more countries are abandoning it. • This system is very harsh to live under; because of this, there are no PURE command countries in the world today. • Some countries are close: Cuba, former Soviet Union, North Korea, former East Germany, etc. • All of these countries have the same type of government: Communist! The government is in control of everything. North Korea’s Command Economy • Economic decisions are made based on the changes in prices that occur as buyers & sellers interact in the market place. • The government has no control over the economy; private citizens answer all economic questions. • In a truly free market economy, the government would not be involved at all. Scary… • There would be no laws to make sure goods/services were safe. *Food! Medicine! • There would be no laws to protect workers from unfair bosses. • Because of this, there are no PURE market economies, but some countries are closer than others. • Since there are no countries that are purely command or purely market, what does that make them? • Most democratic countries have some characteristics of both systems, so we keep it simple and call them: MIXED. • Of course, most countries’ economies are closer to one type of system than another. 2016 Index of Economic Freedom © Brain Wrinkles • South Africa has a mixed economic system that is about 65% free and 35% command. • Its economy is not run entirely by the government, nor does it move entirely by free market choices. • South Africa’s government controls some areas like the postal service and some oil and gas companies. • How does South Africa answer the three economic questions? 1. What to Produce? Individuals and corporations; government has some regulations 2. How to Produce? Individuals and corporations; government has some regulations 3. For Whom to Produce? Individuals and corporations; government has some regulations • Throughout the past several decades South Africa has transitioned away from a command economy and is moving more towards a market one. • South Africa’s national government has let more and more citizens and private corporations take over industries that it used to own. • The government has loosened its control and now encourages competition among businesses, which has helped the economy grow. • While private enterprise is playing a larger role in South Africa’s economy, the national government still as a hand in the country’s economic planning. • The government operates the postal service and some of the communications network. • It also owns some of the oil and gas companies, and healthcare is both public and private. • South Africa is an industrialized nation with large service and manufacturing industries. • It benefits from the abundant precious metals and minerals found in the country. • South Africa is a well-known producer of diamonds and one of the world’s top producers of gold. Finsch Diamond Mine, South Africa • During the apartheid era, South Africans suffered under segregation laws. • When apartheid ended in 1990, black South Africans were granted many rights, including the right to own their own businesses. • This opened up more competition and created a stronger market economy in South Africa. • Unfortunately, South Africa is still feeling the effects of apartheid and poverty, crime, and unemployment are problems the country faces. © Brain Wrinkles • According to the Index of Economic Freedom, Nigeria has a mixed economic system that is about 60% free and 40% command. • In 2015, Nigeria surpassed South Africa to become the largest economy in Africa. • How does Nigeria answer the three economic questions? 1. What to Produce? Individuals and corporations; government regulates oil and agriculture 2. How to Produce? Individuals and corporations; government regulates oil and agriculture 3. For Whom to Produce? Individuals and corporations; government regulates oil and agriculture • In recent years, Nigeria has transitioned away from a mostly command economy and is moving more towards a market one. • Citizens are free to own property and start their own businesses. • Private enterprise is playing a larger role in Nigeria’s economy; however, the Nigerian government still controls large parts of the country’s two most important industries—oil and agriculture. • Recently, the national government has been giving more control of these industries to private businesses in hopes of improving the economy and the standard of living for Nigerians. • Nigeria is fortunate in that it has many valuable natural resources. • In the 1970s, oil was discovered in the country. • Since then, Nigeria’s economy has grown based on its ability to export oil to countries around the world. • Nigeria is the largest producer of oil in Africa. Nigerian Oil Pipes • Since gaining its independence in 1960, Nigeria has been ruled by ruthless military dictatorships. • Under strict government control, Nigeria had mostly a command economy. • Today, the country is more democratic and the government is giving more economic freedom to its citizens. • Nigeria’s government has been partnering with private businesses to provide greater access to electricity, improve roads, and to increase agriculture. © Brain Wrinkles • Kenya has a mixed economic system that is about 50% free and 50% command. • High levels of corruption in Kenya’s government have hurt the country’s overall score on the Index of Economic Freedom. • How does Kenya answer the three economic questions? 1. What to Produce? Some individuals and corporations; government regulates mining, banking, oil refining, & electricity 2. How to Produce? Some individuals and corporations; government regulates mining, banking, oil refining, & electricity 3. For Whom to Produce? Some individuals and corporations; government regulates mining, banking, oil refining, & electricity • Kenya’s citizens are allowed to own property and start their own businesses. • Businesses decide what to produce and how, and what prices to charge for their products. • Unfortunately, because of corruption and bribery in Kenya’s government, laws meant to protect businesses are not always fairly enforced. • Kenya’s government owns all or part of several industries including banking, electricity, mining, and oil refining. • Kenya is the banking, transportation ,and communication hub of East Africa. • Agriculture, tourism, and manufacturing have helped Kenya become the strongest economy in the region. Safari Tour in Kenya • In recent years, Kenya’s agriculture industry has suffered from drought. • Also, the tourism industry has declined due to terrorist activity within the region. • Fortunately, Kenya’s economy is recovering. • Economists predict that it will continue to grow stronger as the quality of life for Kenyans improves. TEACHER INFO: • Print off the chart below for each student. • They should complete the charts after discussing the presentation. • Check answers as a class when finished. © Brain Wrinkles Africa’s Economic Systems Directions: Complete the chart below with information that you learned during the presentation. Economic System South Africa Nigeria Kenya © Brain Wrinkles What do Private Citizens and Companies Decide? What Does the Government Control? Economic Struggles