Government and the Economy
Session 5: The Government's Role in the Economy

Materials

• Internet access
• Overhead projector

Instructional Activities

NOTE: The following Web sites may be helpful in the study of the government’s role in the economy:
•    <http://www.epa.gov/>
•    <http://usinfo.state.gov/ei/economic_issues/intellectual_property.html>
•    <http://www.ftc.gov/ftc/consumer.htm>
•    <http://www.usda.gov/da/employ/Dues%20Advisory.pdf>

1. Review the content from the previous session.
   
   
2. Display the following questions on the board or overhead transparency:
   •    How does the government protect the environment?
   •    What is the role of the government in protecting property rights?
   •    What is the role of the government in the enforcement of legal contracts?
   •    How does the government protect consumer rights?
   •    What is the government’s role in labor-management relations?
   •    How does the government regulate marketplace competition?
   
   
3. Divide the class into pairs, and instruct each pair to research the answers to the questions.
   
   
4. Provide one or two sessions for students to conduct their research and prepare a paper that responds to each question.