The economic system of any nation is the mechanism which brings together natural resources, the labor supply, technology, and the necessary entrepreneurial and managerial talents. Anticipating and then meeting human needs through production and distribution of goods and services is the end purpose of every economic system. 1）While the type of economic system used by a nation is the result of political decision, it is also in even larger part the result of a historical experience, which over time becomes a national culture.

任何国家的经济体系都是集中自然资源、劳力资源、科技资源和必要的企业管理人才的机制。预见人类需求，进而通过产品和服务的生产和销售来满足这些需求是每个经济体系的终极目的。一个国家所采用的经济体系类型不只是政治决策的结果，它更是历史经验的重大成果，随着时间的推移，它将成为一个国家的文化。

       The first ingredient of the system is the natural resource from which goods are produced.2）America has been blessed by being a land rich in mineral resources and fertile farm soil, together with a moderate climate.

该体系中的第一个因素是自然资源，因为利用自然资源人们生产出各种商品。美国得天独厚，拥有丰富的矿藏，肥沃的土地，温和的气候。

       Second, the amount of available labor helps determine the health of an economy. 3）Generally the United States has been fortunate in having enough people to provide the labor necessary for a constantly expanding economy. Until 1924 most of these workers were white immigrants (or their immediate descendents) who came to America from Europe. 4）When too many laborers arrived from Europe to be absorbed by the East-coast economy, they could move on to farmland in the interior. It is true that at times the country has experienced periods of acute unemployment as well as labor shortage, but on the whole immigrants came when work was plentiful and economy grew fast enough to absorb them, providing they were willing to work productively at slightly less than the wage rates paid the acculturated workers. They were willing, and they prospered, earning far more than they would have in their native land. As a result, the economy of the nation also prospered.

其次，制约经济健康发展的还有劳力资源。总的来说，美国有幸拥有足够劳力以满足经济不断扩展的需求。直到1924年为止，大多数工人都还是来自欧洲的白人移民 （或者他们的后代）。当东海岸地区的经济无法再吸收太多来自欧洲的工人时，他们可能继续流动到内地的农场去工作。虽然美国的确有不时地经历严重的失业或劳力短缺的时期，但总的来说，美国就业机会充足，经济发展迅速。只要这些移民愿意在工资水平比当地的工人稍微要低的情况下仍然勤奋工作，他们一到美国，就能被吸纳成为劳动力。他们愿意的话，就能发财，赚到比在自己国家多得多的钱。其结果是，美国的经济也就繁荣了。

       A third factor is the quality of available labor. In assessing the success of an economy one must ask how hard the people are willing to work and how skilled they are. The frontier demanded hard work, and the Protestant religious ethic supported that demand. Further, the strong emphasis placed on education, including technical and vocational education, also contributed to