1. Read pp
Add to vocab
Socialism
Communism
When you finish, please clear your desks and move your bags to the walls and out of the way.

2. Capitalism vs Socialism
Rock, Paper, Scissors Game

3. The Rules: Two opponents face off at one time.
The winner takes $1 from the loser.
You may compete as long as you have at least $1. When you lose all of your candy, return to your seat.
When at your seat, get out a piece of paper and answer the questions on the next slide.

4. Debriefing How did you feel at the start of the game?
How did you feel when you ran out of money and had to quit the game?
What could you have done to get back into the game?
Why didn’t you do this?
Do you think this game was fair? Why or why not?
Now that the game is over, what action could Mrs. Huber take, if any, to make the game fair? Should she do this? Why or why not?

5. Karl Marx and Communist Theory
Marx believed that the capitalist system would eventually destroy itself
He believed the large proletariat (working class) would revolt and seize factories/mills from the capitalists and produce what society needs
Eventually, the gov’t would whither away and a classless society would share all goods/services equally
HOW DOES THIS THEORY RELATE TO OUR GAME…?

6. Marxist Theory * R / P / S Game
CAPITALISM
Private Ownership
Freedom of Competition
Results in Unequal Economic Classes
CLASS STRUGGLE
Wealthy class and workers struggle over money
CAPITALISM
Students own money
Played R/P/S
Some Won/Most Lost Everything
CLASS STRUGGLE
Winners and losers struggle over candy

7. Marxist Theory * R / P / S Game
WORKERS REVOLT!
Working class carries out plan to overtake upper class
SOCIALISM
Government owns industry
GOAL: Economic Equality
Aims for a classless society
WORKERS REVOLT!
Plan to get money back (steal) & argue about fairness
SOCIALISM
Mrs. Huber collects money
Redistributes candy equally
Students have same amount of money

8. Marxist Theory * R / P / S Game
COMMUNISM
Goal of a classless society is achieved; Goods/services shared equally
No government is needed
COMMUNISM
Students refuse to play the game again but share money equally
Mrs. Huber would no longer need to supervise

9. Recap…
The game (capitalism) started with an unequal distribution of money (wealth). A few students (the wealthy) had far greater resources than the rest of the class (the working class).

10. Recap…
A few students (the wealthy) were able to prosper during the game (capitalism). Their advantage made it virtually impossible for the rest of the students (working class) to succeed in the game (capitalism)

11. Recap…
Those who succeeded (the wealthy) in the game (capitalism) support it. Those who did not succeed (the working class) pointed out its unfairness and generally wanted to change the game (change the system).

12. Recap…
As frustration with the game (capitalism) mounted, some students (working class) suggested alternative solutions for making distribution of money (wealth) more equal (socialism).

13. Recap…
Mrs. Huber (government) collected the money (wealth) and redistributed them equally (socialism). Thus, no student had more money (wealth) than another (resulting in a classless society).

14. QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER:
Based on this activity, what are some advantages of a Marxist, classless society? What are some disadvantages?
What do you think or peasants in Russia might have thought about Marx’s ideas?
Are there any organizations or governments in the world today that adhere to Marx’s ideas?

15. SOCIALIST or CAPITALIST?
Stevens High School
A child’s lemonade stand
A soup kitchen
A government that provides health care for all citizens
The local fire department
The Dow Jones industrial average increased 15 points (Stock Market)

16. SOCIALIST or CAPITALIST?
You sell a candy bar for 25 cents more than what you bought it for
Yosemite National Park
Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream Company
The Post Office
Mrs. Silverman rewards students with A’s on test with candy
Group members all get the same grade on a project