18.1 Economic Systems
Economy refers to the social institution through which a society s resources (goods and services) are managed. The
Agricultural Revolution led to development of the first economies that were based on trading goods. Mechanization of the
manufacturing process led to the Industrial Revolution and gave rise to two major competing economic systems. Under
capitalism, private owners invest their capital and that of others to produce goods and services they can sell in an open
market. Prices and wages are set by supply and demand and competition. Under socialism, the means of production is
commonly owned, and the economy is controlled centrally by government. Several countries economies exhibit a mix of
both systems. Convergence theory seeks to explain the correlation between a country s level of development and changes
in its economic structure.
18.2 Globalization and the Economy
Globalization refers to the process of integrating governments, cultures, and financial markets through international trade
into a single world market. There are benefits and drawbacks to globalization. Often the countries that fare the worst are
those that depend on natural resource extraction for their wealth. Many critics fear globalization gives too much power to
multinational corporations and that political decisions are influenced by these major financial players.
18.3 Work in the United States
The job market in the United States is meant to be a meritocracy that creates social stratifications based on individual
achievement. Economic forces, such as outsourcing and automation, are polarizing the workforce, with most job
opportunities being either low-level, low-paying manual jobs or high-level, high-paying jobs based on abstract skills.
Women's role in the workforce has increased, although women have not yet achieved full equality. Immigrants play an
important role in the U.S. labor market. The changing economy has forced more people into poverty even if they are
working. Welfare, Social Security, and other social programs exist to protect people from the worst effects of poverty.