Chapter 17 The Economic System - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Section 2:Business Organization

Section 3:Making Business Decisions

Chapter 17The Economic System

Section 1: The Economic System at Work

The Main Idea

Countries form many types of economic systems to meet their citizens’ needs and wants. The Untied States has a market economy.

Reading Focus

• How do different economic systems help satisfy people’s needs?
• What factors shape life in a market economy?
• What is the U.S.S economic system like?

Section 1: The Economic System at Work

• Freedom to buy and sell—government role is limited
• Freedom to compete—producers make what they think the consumer will buy
• Freedom to earn a living—citizens free to seek the best jobs they can get

Section 1: The Economic System at Work

• Freedom to earn a profit—the profit motive is essential to the system
• Freedom to own property—private ownership makes the free market possible

Section 1: The Economic System at Work

• The balance of supply and demand determines the prices and quantities of goods and services.
• Law of supply—businesses will provide more products when they can sell them at higher prices
• Law of demand—buyers will demand more products when they can buy them at lower prices

Section 1: The Economic System at Work

• Free enterprise system—freedom to compete without government interference allows the opportunity to enjoy success and profit
• Businesses run risks and must accept losses.
• Monopolies harm a free economy by eliminating competition.
• Some goods are produced more efficiently by big businesses due to economies of scale.

The Free-Enterprise System

Helps the System

Big Business

Harms the System

SECTION 1

Question: In what ways can big business help and hurt the free-enterprise system?

• monopolies
• mergers
• trusts
• unfair competition

• employs many people
• produces goods more efficiently

Section 2: Business Organizations

The Main Idea

American businesses may be organized as sole proprietorships, partnerships, corporations, or nonprofit organizations.

Reading Focus

• What are the different types of business organizations?
• How do corporations function?
• What is a nonprofit organization?

Section 2: Business Organizations

• Sole proprietorships—small businesses owned by one person; owners keep all profits but supply capital, hire help, and pay taxes; solely responsible for losses
• Partnerships—two or more people share responsibilities, costs, profits, and losses; often more successful than sole proprietorships
• Corporations—permanent organizations; most common form for large companies

Section 2: Business Organizations

• Raise money by selling stocks
• Shareholders receive a portion of the profits in relation to their holdings.
• States issue charters of incorporation, and corporation obeys regulations.
• Stockholders elect directors and vote on changes.
• Board of directors selects corporate officers.
• No one is responsible for a corporation’s debt if it fails.

Section 2: Business Organizations

• Preferred stock—less risky; dividends guaranteed if company is profitable; stockholders do not usually vote in company’s affairs
• Common stock—more risky; dividends only when company is very profitable; benefits include possibility of higher dividends, increased stock value, and voting on company’s affairs

raising money

securing the rights to operate

choosingexecutives

electingdirectors

SECTION 2

Question: What are the five most important features of a corporation?

The Most Important Features of a Corporation

meeting debt responsibilities

Section 3: Making Business Decisions

The Main Idea

Business owners must make decisions about their use of natural resources, capital, labor, and entrepreneurship. Business owners are free to make these decisions with little interference from the government.

Reading Focus

• What are the four factors of production?
• What is the government's role in the economy?

Section 3: Making Business Decisions

• Natural resources
• Capital
• Labor
• Entrepreneurship

Section 3: Making Business Decisions

• Natural resources—provide physical space and raw materials for business
• Capital—the money needed to start a business
• Labor—the human effort required for the business
• Entrepreneurship—initiative, decisions, risks, and management involved in a business

Section 3: Making Business Decisions

• Protects small businesses from big corporations (monopolies)
• Protects workers’ health and safety
• Prevents pollution
• Protects consumers from harmful products and practices
• Ensures equal opportunity employment

capital

labor

SECTION 3

Question: What are the four factors of production?

natural resources

Factors of Production

entrepreneurship

Chapter 17 Wrap-Up

• 1. How do the laws of supply and demand affect the prices of products?
• 2. What is the free-enterprise system, and what roles do big businesses play in it?
• 3. What are the major characteristics of corporations, and what are their benefits?
• 4. What are the advantages and disadvantages of preferred stock and common stock?
• 5. How are stocks and corporate bonds similar and different?
• 6. What role does the government play in the U.S. economy?
• 7. Why must the factors of production be considered when starting a new business?