Answer the following questions based on the information from the text, class, and your own research and knowledge of politics, geography, and history. Each answer should be one paragraph. 1. Why do you think that GDP does not grow at a steady rate, but rather speeds up and slows down? What caused the drop in 2020? 2. Why do you suppose that U.S. GDP is so much higher today than 50 or 100 years ago? Give at least two reasons why. 3. Why might per capita GDP be only an imperfect measure of a country's standard of living? (Hints: "Per capita" means the average for every person in the country. What is possibly not counted in GDP?) 4. How might you measure a "green" GDP? In other words, how would you account for climate change initiatives? 5. What role does geography and availability of natural resources play in GDP growth? Questions adapted from the "Critical Thinking Questions" from the text, Chapter 6