Examples of the Roles of Government

1. Support a legal system and protect property rights– Rome had an extensive system of laws created

to protect the rights of free people.– Roman law influenced legal systems well after

Rome’s fall.

LESSON 10 – FALL OF ROME

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Examples of the Roles of Government

2. Provide public goods (such as national defense)– Rome’s military was an important aspect of the

Empire’s success.– Through taxpayer support, the military was

designed to protect all Roman citizens from outside forces.

– Public goods have two characteristics:• Shareable• Not excludable

LESSON 10 – FALL OF ROME

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Examples of the Roles of Government

3. Maintain competition in markets– Early Rome encouraged free trade.– The Roman government protected private

individuals so they could decide how to use their income and profits. Competition lowered prices and helped increase the variety and amount of goods, services, and resources available.

LESSON 10 – FALL OF ROME

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Examples of the Roles of Government

4. Redistribute income through tax collection and government programs – Programs like bread production were subsidized

or partly paid for by all taxpayers, but only a small group could get the subsidized bread.

– Horse and chariot races (also called circuses) and gladiator competitions were sponsored by the government. For a variety of reasons, only a few citizens actually participated.

LESSON 10 – FALL OF ROME

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Other Causes of Fall of Rome

• External military threats• People fleeing the Empire due

to the invasion of diseases and plagues

• Climate change• Rapid inflation• The spread of Christianity • Overall moral decay

LESSON 10 – FALL OF ROME

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