How do different political and economic systems shape the way societies make decisions and distribute power?

Guiding Questions 

• How do governments and economic systems work together to influence daily life? 
• In what ways do different political and economic systems give people power or take power away? 
• What challenges or benefits might arise under each system? 
• Why might a country choose one government or economic system over another? 

Objectives 

• Students will identify and describe different forms of government (democracy, autocracy, theocracy, oligarchy). 
• Students will identify and describe different economic systems (capitalism, socialism, communism, fascism). 
• Students will analyze how governments and economies affect how decisions are made in society. 

Student Resources:

• Government and Economy Reference Sheets 
• Scenarios (included in lesson plan)

Facilitation Notes 

• This lesson plan is designed to help students understand the game Regime. It is suggested that students participate in the learning outlined in the lesson plan prior to playing the game.  
• In the game, democracy is more specifically divided into representative and direct. Anarchy is also introduced.