蒙大英语国家-美国概况教案03 American Economy

1、 Lecture Three American Economy ( by Kong Lingyu)The focus of teaching: the factors lead to Americas quick economic development Teaching aim: let the students know the general knowledge of American economic system Teaching style: instruction and group discussionTeaching procedure:1. warming-up exercises2. General introduction of American economy by PowerPoint;3. Discussion on the assignment;4. Assignment on information- gathering Warming-up exercises: discuss the following three questions:1. Wha

2、t are the important factors that lead to a nations quick economic development? 2. Why do you think American economy is so successful? 3. What is the proper role of the government in a nations economic development? I. The Economic System of the United States The United States is the best example of a capitalist market economy. However, although there is a heavy reliance on the market mechanism to allocate resources, it can not be said that the Unites States conforms to the model of a pure free en

3、terprise market economy. Many changes have occurred over time as government has sought to modify the working of the free market. A. Private Enterprise Private enterprise is one of the basic institutions of the U.S. economy. There is very little government ownership of industry. Anyone with an idea and capital is free to start his or her own business. The United States consists of some very large corporations and hundreds of thousands of smaller ones. 1. Large corporations u Many industries were

4、concentrated in the hands of a few firms in the U.S. u The trend toward industrial concentration began in the 1920s. corporate largeness was stimulated by the changes that were occurred in the economy, in particular the mass production of automobiles. u World war also contributed to the trend towards largeness. Large corporations produced the airplanes and tanks used by the United States and its allies in the war. u During the 1960s and 1970s the tend increased, facilitated by a new type of merg

5、er called the conglomerate merger. 2. Small Enterprises There are also thousands of small and medium-sized business firms. They provide employment for the majority of the U.S. workers as well as much of the innovation necessary for the international competitiveness. The number of small companies is increasing as a result of the downsizing of big corporations as well as the quick development of small family-owned companies by using new technologies. B. Government For many years, the idea persiste

6、d that the government of a capitalist system should not follow a policy of Laissez-faire. The idea was based on the concept of natural liberty. Each individual was assumed to be a more or less rational human being and better judge of his or her won interest than any government could be. In the natural order of things ,peoples pursuits of their own interests would benefit others as well. Government has a limited role to play in the society. However, it has been realized that the institutions of c

7、apitalism are man-made, not the product of some natural order. In the operation of a capitalist economy, economic and social problems can not be solved by individuals. U.S. government intervention in the economy increased the most during the Depression of the 1930s and World War II. Government undertook massive public works programs and the complete overhaul and regulation of banking help to the economy to recover. In the postwar years government involvement was again emphasized when the U.S. ad

8、opted the Keynesian theory. However, by the end of the 1970s, economic growth had decreased. In the 1980s, under the Regan Administration, the traditional Keynesian approached was replaced again by new monetarist polices, which sought to fight inflation by increasing supply and reducing demand. The appropriate role of government in the U.S. economy has become an important subject. II. Natural Resources A. Fertile soil Fertile soil is one of the most important natural resources in the United Stat

9、es. The rich soils of the interior plains produces crops of wheat and corn. B. Forest American forest resources are among the worlds largest. Softwood forest including valuable white pines are found in the east and tall and giant redwood trees and Dougalas firs are found in the east and tall and giant redwood trees and Douglass firs are found throughout the coast ranges of the Pacific. Forest account for 31% of the total land. C. Water Another natural resources that contribute to the welfare of the country is water. Agriculture can depend on natural rainfall westward to the 100th meridian and also in the Pacific Northwest. The Mississippi and other rivers provide excellent inland water resources. Today the rivers and streams of American furnish 63% of the water supply for cities, towns and inlands, 93% of the water used by industries and almost all of the

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