2.3 - US Flawed Democracy

Question 1

% of people who say they trust the government to do what is right

Answer 1

Fell from 75% in 1960 to 25% in 2020

Lack of trust = corruption

Question 2

Contributors of US flawed democracy?

Answer 2

• Vietnam war
• Civil rights
• Assassination of Martin Luther King
• Wars in Middle East
• Financial crisis
• Consumer society
• Polarisation of political views - mass media
• Jan 6th 2021 - attack on US Capitol after elections to prevent certification of Biden’s presidency - falling trust
• Free speech paradox

Question 3

How has democracy changed in US?

Answer 3

• 2011-2021 less stable according to the Economist Democracy Index

Question 4

Why could there be falling trust in the US government?

Answer 4

• Conspiracy theories
• Media e.g. ‘Fox’ reporting things not completely true
• Corruption - knock-on effect on trust in future leaders
• Social media
• Celebrity ‘individualism’ - consumerism