Summary: In this lesson from the Ethics, Economics, and Social Issues curriculum, students will explore basic ideas of justice and self-interest. Students begin by collaboratively exploring government policies such as unemployment insurance, Medicare, immigration, and education funding. In the first round, students will vote on the policies under a “veil of ignorance,” i.e. before knowing if each policy will benefit them or not. In the second round, students will be given role cards and vote on those same government policies. During the second round, groups could be influenced by the interests of their assigned role: a teacher, a retiree, a high-income executive, a college student, or an unemployed person. After both rounds, groups will share how removing the “veil of ignorance” impacted their decision-making process as well as the outcome of their vote.
Overarching Questions:
- CIVICS: How well does the government balance individual rights and the common good, including the need to maintain order, safety and a healthy environment, during this time period?
- ECONOMICS: What is the proper role of government in the economy? (Especially with regard to economic crises, national defense/security, health and safety of the people, and economic development and practices.)
NJ Student Learning Standards for Social Studies:
- 6.1.12.HistoryCC.16.a: Assess from various perspectives the effectiveness with which the United States government addresses economic issues that affect individuals, business, and/or other countries.
- 6.1.12.HistoryCC.16.b: Determine past and present factors that led to the widening of the gap between the rich and poor, and evaluate how this has affected individuals and society.
- 6.1.12.EconET.14.a: Use current events to judge what extent the government should intervene at the local, state, and national levels on issues related to the economy.
- 6.1.12.EconET.14.b: Analyze economic trends, income distribution, labor participation (i.e., employment, the composition of the workforce), and government and consumer debt and their impact on society.
Link to Lesson: EconEdLink - Does Self-Interest Prevent Economic Justice? (To gain full access, EconEdLink requires that teachers establish an account for free. Thereafter, teachers may gain access to all the resources for this interactive lesson.)