1. Grade 9 Social Studies Unit 5 Review
9.2.6 Assess, critically, the interrelationship between political decisions and economic systems

2. How do the economic platforms of political parties differ from one another?
An economic platform is a description of what policies a party believes are appropriate to maintain and stimulate a country’s economy
Includes policies on taxation, spending, and international economic affairs
Terms used to summarize platforms are right wing, left wing, and centre

3. Cont’d… Left Wing Right Wing Centre
More government involvement and ownership of the economy
Comprehensive social programs
Higher taxes
Right Wing
Less government involvement and ownership of the economy
Less spending on social programs
Lower taxes
Big business incentives
Centre
Primarily private ownership with some intervention
Medium taxation to pay for social services

4. Cont’d…
Three major parties in Canada are the Liberals, Conservatives and New Democratic
The United States has two main parties, the Republican and Democratic

5. How is a political party’s philosophy reflected in its platform?
Philosophies are reflected through policies and how money is collected and spent
Social program policies mean that the party believes that citizens rely on the government
Parties to the right believe that citizens should rely less on government and should be responsible for their own well-being
Taxation models are ideas about how to tax citizens, what goods and services to tax, and how to spend the money from taxes collected

6. Cont’d… Personal responsibility vs collective good
More taxes collected through taxation allows for higher quality social programs
Taxes include PST, GST, HST, and income tax

7. Government income is almost completely reliant on taxation
How does the underground economy impact the federal and provincial tax base and social programs?
Government income is almost completely reliant on taxation
Those who refrain from paying taxes have a negative impact on government spending
Tax evasion is an illegal practice in which a person lies about money made
Black market is where goods and services are illegally sold
The tax base is affected by these actions and as a result the gov’t collects less and spends less on social programs

8. How do government decisions on environmental issues impact quality of life?
Government decisions on environmental issues have an impact on quality of life
Gov’t makes decisions that work towards preservation or exploitation
Preservation – parks, land protection
Exploitation – oil fields, deforestation
Trade of natural resources can influence policies
Canadian resources are in demand and so the gov’t stands to make a substantial profit

9. An example of tax evasion is when someone…
A political party that favours universal health care, publicly funded daycare, and raising corporate taxes would also likely favour which of the following actions?
An example of tax evasion is when someone…
Accidentally pays more than they owe in taxes
Accidentally misses the deadline for submitting a tax return
Intentionally pays more tax than required on each paycheque
Intentionally misrepresents their income when submitting a tax return
Progressive taxation
Private health care
Limiting access to social services
Cutting service during tough economic times
Which of the following Canadian political parties would be most reluctant to incur a deficit because of increased spending in order to combat a recession?
Liberal Party
Conservative Party
New Democrat Party
Bloc Quebecois Party

10. People who under report their annual income
Which of the following actions would most likely have a negative effect on the government’s ability to provide social services?
The purpose of a political party’s economic platform is to…
Inform voters about their philosophy surrounding government revenue collection and spending
Inform the public about a party’s beliefs about controversial social issues such as the death penalty and abortion laws
Instruct voters about where to go cast their votes on election day
Provide a forum for discussion about the best way for governments to regulate and monitor the economy.
People who under report their annual income
People who collect support, such as welfare
An increase in minimum wage
An increase to the income tax rate