AP+US+History

Esrath Santha AP Summer HW

//Our summer assignment is titled “Capitalism & Democracy”. You will deal with America’s economic system: capitalism and its political system: democracy. The goals of the assignment are for you to become deeply knowledgeable about these two systems and the ways they are practiced in America, and to do some critical thinking about how they work.//

Capitalism is based on profit. Individuals are able to privately buy and sell goods to gain a profit.
 * What is capitalism?**
 * vocabulary.com ** - //"n.// //an economic system based on private ownership of capital"//

The U.S. not only practice capitalism, but also socialism in what's called a mixed economy. In a capitilistic economy, indivsuals forsee all economic activites and own property. In sorcialism, the government own property and is responsible for economic activities.
 * What form of capitalism does the United States practice? What are the details of this form of capitalism?**

Our forefathers sought to to give the american people the right to be free. The monarchy owning the people's land and property isn't freedom. The founders of the U.S. believed that the people should be able own their own property and do whatever they wanted to do with it, and a government overseas shouldn't be violating their rights. Buying and selling property freely allows americans to gain more wealth and have a better livelihood.
 * Why does the U.S. practice capitalism – why is it the system that the founders of the United States established?**

//Pros://
 * What are the positives and negatives of having this economic system?**
 * A person can get exetremely wealthy and live the "american dream"
 * Competition leads to competitors wanting to create better quality products
 * Freedom to own and sell goods for profit

//Cons://
 * Wealth is divided unfairly between CEOs and workers. Walmart is a good example of this.
 * Lots of competition can bankrupt smaller or other businesses
 * Many workers can lose jobs

All citizens have the right to vote for their government officials or ANYTHING else and the majority ruled. (direct democracy)
 * What is democracy?**
 * vocabulary.com ** - //"n.// //the political orientation of those who favor government by the people or by their elected representatives"//

The U.S. practice a representative democracy. Citizens can elect representatives that voice the citizen's ideas and opinions in government.
 * What form of democracy does the United States practice? What are the details of this form of democracy?**

It's to enpower the governed and let them have a say in their government. The founders didn't like the fact that an overseas power were the ones who who controlling them. American citizens wanted representation in the british parliament, but since that didn't happen, we decided to create our own democracy.
 * Why does the U.S. practice democracy – why is it the system that the founders established?**

//Pros://
 * What are the positives and negatives of having this system?**
 * Power to the people. Citizens have control of who's in office
 * No one is too powerful

//Cons://
 * Corruption
 * Sometimes, people who have the right to vote won't vote.


 * Please watch Michael Moore’s 2009 documentary “Capitalism: A Love Story” and summarize 4 or 5 of his main points. Also, please critique his arguments – what does he leave out, what problems do you find with his approach, etc. Make sure you relate the film to your earlier research on capitalism and democracy.** //(So please do these steps in order, so this film should be viewed after you’ve done the work for #1-8)//
 * Capitalism is portrayed in this film as to mainly make profits, even if it brings misery to others (family lost homes, people losing jobs, company gaining money from employee deaths)
 * Wall street is able to get away with robbing tax payers billions
 * Capitalism seemed pretty good before Regan who gave political power to the corps.
 * The CEOs are afraid of the working class because we have the power to vote, so they know that they can't control us. If the people want to rise up and make a change, then they're able to do so.

Well, I think that there are alot of these kind of documentaries that like to play with the viewers emotions. The depressing stories that make you very very angry at the people. I would've liked to see the other story. What would the U.S. be without capitalism? Being fair seems and sounds really good, but wouldn't there need to be some very rich and some poor? Some sort of competition to keep people motivated to become better. I agree with Moore, but I don't think we should totally get rid of capitalism. Just the corruption and the extreme amount of greed. I enjoyed the video, but it was all too biased.


 * What is the relationship between capitalism and democracy? How do they work together, how do their principles coincide and how do they oppose each other?**

Capitalism -> the freemarket, money Democracy -> politics, allows citizens to vote

Citizens allow there to be a wall street and for private owners to gain profits. Capitalism makes the rich richer and the poor poorer. If the people wanted to change that, they are allowed to (by voting for new gov. officials & laws). Capitalism enriches our government to keep things afloat