This unit on economic decision-making is the fourth of five units in a ninth grade social studies course (see SO 010 891). Major objectives are to help students (1) explain how dissent and protest may be used as effective means of change and to consider the consequences of such actions; (2) examine the judicial branch of government in order to generalize about how one's life has been affected by decisions of the courts; (3) examine the legislative branch in order to trace the process of decision making and identify the forces affecting the process; (4) analyze the executive branch in order to recognize the influences affecting executive decision-making; and (5) justify a political decision based on an analysis of the political process. The unit is divided into five parts: the first deals with dissent and protest; the second, third, and fourth examine the judicial, legislative, and executive branches of government on the local, state, and federal level. The last part focuses on the individual citizen and the citizen's influence on the political decision making process. The five parts contain lessons which are inquiry-oriented and are based on student activities. Each lesson contains a stated purpose, a classroom procedure, suggested materials, and teaching variations. Resource pages for activities are included. (Author/JK)