Why Do Economies Grow Lesson 3 Colonial Economy

Why Do Economies Grow? Lesson 3

Colonial Economy Mystery North America offered no known gold or silver for the taking. There were no spices to trade. Eventually, however, the colonies were able to prosper. Why? Are increases in the quality and quantity of the four key resources needed for economic growth and prosperity?

Mystery Nations

Who is Wealthy? Some nations of the world have become wealthy, while others have not. Why is this so? Do the quality and quantity of natural resources play a role? Labor? Capital? Entrepreneurial talent? Do economic systems and institutions matter? What role does a stable and well-enforced set of private property rights play? What about the freedom to trade goods, services and resources?

Visual 3. 2. Who Has the Highest Income? Country A Wealth Score = Country B Wealth Score = ___ Give wealthiest 4, next wealthiest 3 next Under European colonial rule wealthiest 2 and poorest 1 from early 1500 s until 1816 Benefits from rich natural resources including fertile plains, lead, zinc, iron ore, petroleum and uranium Population of nearly 40 million people in 2004 (small for a nation of this size) Land size about three-tenths the size of the United States wealthiest 2 and poorest 1 from early 1500 s until 1822 Benefits from rich natural resources including bauxite, gold, iron ore, nickel, phosphates, tin, uranium, petroleum, hydropower and timber Population of over 184 million Land area slightly smaller than the United States

Visual 3. 2. Who Has the Highest Income? Country C Wealth Score = ___ Give wealthiest 4, next wealthiest 3 next wealthiest 2 and poorest 1 Under European rule from the nineteenth century until 1947 Benefits from rich natural resources including large coal reserves, iron ore, manganese, mica, titanium ore, chromite, natural gas, petroleum, limestone and agricultural land Population of more than 1 billion Land area slightly more than onethird of the United States Country D Wealth Score = ___ Give wealthiest 4, next wealthiest 3 next wealthiest 2 and poorest 1 Under European rule from 1841 to 1997 Good harbor but no natural resources Population of nearly 7 million Land area six times larger than Washington D. C.

Mystery Nations Revealed

Country A Argentina Population 40. 482 million (July 2008 est. ) GDP per capita $14, 500 (2008 est. ) Life Expectancy 76. 36 years Literacy Rate 97. 2% Infant Mortality 11. 78 deaths/1, 000 live births

Country B Brazil Population 196, 342, 592 GDP per capita $10, 300 (2008 est. ) Life expectancy 71. 71 years Literacy rate 88. 6% Infant mortality 23. 33 deaths/1, 000 live births

Country C India Population 1, 147, 995, 904 (July 2008 est. ) GDP per capita $2, 900 (2008 est. ) Life Expectancy 69. 25 years Literacy Rate 61% Infant Mortality 32. 31 deaths/1, 000 live births

Region D Hong Kong Population 7, 018, 636 (July 2008 est. ) GDP per capita $45, 300 (2008 est. ) Life Expectancy 81. 77 years Literacy Rate 93. 5% Infant Mortality 2. 93 deaths/1, 000 live births

Two Additional Cases

United States Population (07/08 est) 303, 824, 640 GDP per capita (2008 est. ) $48, 000 Life Expectancy 78. 14 years Literacy Rate 99% Infant Mortality 6. 3 deaths/1, 000 live births

Saudi Arabia Population 28, 146, 656 note: includes 5, 576, 076 nonnationals (July 2008 est. ) GDP per capita $21, 300 (2008 est. ) Life Expectancy 76. 09 years Literacy Rate 78. 8% Infant Mortality 11. 94 deaths/1, 000 live births

Natural Resources Paradox Natural resources have contributed to the economic success of some nations. Yet, many nations with vast stocks of natural resources are poor.

Factors Associated with Economic Growth Lesson 3 Activity 3. 1

Activity 3. 1 Factors Associated with Economic Growth Private Property Rights Question A: Would you keep a savings account or want to own a farm in a nation that expropriated savings and farmland every few years? Physical Capital Question B: What incentives might encourage the development of physical capital? Human Capital Question C: What incentives could a nation provide to encourage the development of human capital?

Activity 3. 1 Factors Associated with Economic Growth Investment Question D: What incentives might encourage people to save and invest? Infrastructure Question E: How is infrastructure similar to investment?

Be a Planet Planner Lesson 3 Activity 3. 2

Activity 3. 2 Be A Planet Planner The Spanish and the English had much in common. Both were powerful European colonial powers. But the results of colonial development led to different outcomes in North and South America. Why?

Be A Planet Planner You have just been appointed by Dr. Julie Verne to the United Nations Intergalactic Development Administration (UNIDA) Task Force for Planet Z 93. Your job is to advise Dr. Verne on Z 93 development plans by applying two rules: 1. People respond to incentives in predictable ways. Rewarding people for their work, for example, encourages them to be productive. 2. People create economic systems that influence individual choices and incentives. In order for an economy to grow, its rules must include a system of incentives that encourages people to produce.

English Development England by the 17 th century had transferred some power from the king to the parliament. Individual property rights were better defined and enforced. • The Pilgrims experimented with common land ownership but nearly starved. • In 1623, they replaced group land ownership with individual ownership. “This had very good success for it made all hands very industrious, so as much more corn was planted than otherwise would have been by any means the Governor or any other could use. ” William Bradford Of Plymouth Plantation, 1620 - 1647

Spanish Development Spain in the 16 th century was an absolute monarchy. Individual property rights were not well defined and enforced. The plan for development was to seek gold and riches - - a transfer of wealth, not expansion.

Questions for Discussion How did the political institutions differ between Spain and England? Describe ways in which Spain influenced the economic development of South and Central America? Describe ways in which the English developed the eastern coast of North America? Policy Recommendations Who should be allowed to own property in Z 93? Individuals? Government? Why?