Government and the Economy
Session 1: Protecting Economic Freedoms

Materials

• Internet access

Instructional Activities

1. Review the content from the previous unit on the free market and other economic systems.
   
   
2. Explain that the United States has a free market economy based on maintaining freedom of choice in the marketplace. This means that the government creates certain consumer protections and agencies, but individuals have the freedom to choose what they make and buy as long as it conforms to the government regulations.
   
   
3. Display the following list of economic freedoms for individuals in a free market economy, and explain how the government is responsible for protecting each one:
   •    Ability to earn money
   •    Right to purchase property
   •    Right to spend incomes on goods and services
   •    Right to choose occupations or change jobs
   •    Right to make choices about where to save and how much
   •    Right to open new business
   
   
4. Provide actual legislation and other regulations the government has in place to protect consumers. Explain why the government had to pass some of these laws. For example, the right to purchase property was denied to certain groups through various methods, so the government had to establish laws to guarantee all Americans to right to purchase a home in the neighborhood of choice. In addition, certain individuals were denied the opportunity for employment due to handicapping conditions, so the government had to pass laws that protected the right of the disabled to get a job. Ask students if they can suggest other situations that may have contributed to legislation to protect the economic freedoms of individuals in a free market economy.
   
   NOTE: The following Web site may be of assistance in the study of legislation on consumer protection. <http://www.house.gov/paul/congrec/congrec99/cr031199.htm>.
   
   
5. Assign a teacher-selected reading, worksheet or other reinforcement activity.