Log 2.2 What terms are the most important for a happy and healthy society?

In class we looked at the following terms about economics and the government. Capitalism, Socialism, Totalitarianism, Democracy, Freedom, Equality, Individualism, and Collectivism.
Okay, but who cares? Why does it matter that you have an understanding of these terms?

My answer to that is that every society, in every age has to pick and choose how to structure their society. We are constantly undergoing a debate about what the best balance between government and capitalism should be, about how much democracy and freedom people should have and the balance between the benefits of individualism vs collectivism. Because we are fortunate to get to live in a democracy, you actually get to have a say about what type of country we will live in. I don't know about you, but I want to live in a society where people debate, discuss, and ponder the drawbacks and benefits that our choices will make. Okay, I'll get off the soap box and move onto the assignment:

For your assignment I want you to read over the different terms and create a spectrum at the top of your paper that looks like this:

1.

Terms that = happy + healthy society -- Terms that don't = happy + healthy society.
____________________________________________________________________________________


Underneath this you need to put the terms in order, based on how likely you think they are of making a happy and healthy society. For the example I have used terms that we didn't have. Be sure you use the terms we learned in class.

Terms that = happy + healthy society -- Terms that don't = happy + healthy society.
____________________________________________________________________________________
wild areas to camp in, pizza , malls, crime, murder, really unpleasant stuff.


So this is my example. Terms on the left represent what I think will make society happy and healthy, things on the right represent things that I think are unlikely to make society happy and healthy. So, I think wild areas to camp in are very likely to make society happy and healthy, I think that really unpleasant stuff is very unlikely to make society happy and healthy. Remember you are using the terms from class.


2. Now you need to explain and defend why you think society should be organized the way you have it layed out. So for my example I would explain that I think its important that people have wild areas for peace and solitude and escaping "the crazyness" of the world, and that "really unpleasant stuff" is bound to make us all unhappy, malls can be useful, but they can also be stressful, and so forth. You need to explain the different terms and why you have ordered them the way you have. Be sure to explain your reasoning. Don't just say democracy is good and totalitarianism is bad, explain why.

How long should this be? In the past most students who are successful on this assignment write at least a page. I don't have a set page length, just be sure that you are clearly explaining your reasoning. If you find this interesting and want to go above and beyond, you can earn Extended credit? What's extended credit? Check out my teacher page for a description: http://www.lshigh.org/s/255/lasalle.aspx?sid=255&gid=1&pgid=1376
My apologies, it looks like my extended credit assignment has been taken down. I'll have it get set back up ASAP.

Good Luck! Barstow.