Directions:

Step 1. Examine the chart: Economic Function of Government provided by the Economic Council on Education

Step 2. Make a written list of 25 activities that local, state, and national governments carry out in the U.S. economy; for example: provide for national defense, collect social security taxes, pay social security benefits, build highways, and insure quality of food and medicines.

Step 3. Think about which of the categories from the chart in Step 1 your activities could be listed under. Then open the attached Worksheet | PDF | and fill in each one of the table cells marked: "List Item."

As you move your list items into the categories, consider:

• All levels of government work to maintain the legal and social framework, and provide public goods and services.
• The state and national governments have the major responsibility for maintaining a competitive framework, redistributing income, and dealing with externalities.
• The national government has the responsibility for stabilizing the economy.

Step 4. Look at a list of Fictional Newspaper Headlines. Place each one of the Headlines into one of the cells on your Worksheet marked "Headline".

Step 5. Now use the internet to locate additional headlines that illustrate the economic functions of government. Make sure all of the cells on your worksheet are filled.

SUBMIT your work as a Word Document in the Assignments Folder.

Directions:

Step 1. Read: "What Role Should The Government Play in The Economy?"

Step 2. In the Discussion Board entitled "Government and the Economy", summarize each viewpoint and take a stand on the role of government in the economy. Which position makes the most sense to you? Why?

Make sure that you post to the Discussion Board and respond to at least two (2) comments from your classmates to receive credit for this assignment.