USA Flashcards
(16 cards)
2 Key Features of the US Political System
Legislative. Congress debates and votes on potential laws through Senate and the House of Representatives. For example, The Respect for Marriage Act in 2022 put protection in place for same-sex marriage in the US.
Executive. Refers to the office of the President and the Federal Government which enforces law of the land. For example, in 2021, Biden signed a bil guaranteeing greater protection for law enforcement and first responders.
2 Political Rights that US Citizens have
Vote. For example, in 2024, 64% of the electorate voted in the Presidential election.
Peaceful protest. For example, in June 2020, half a million people marched across the USA for Black Lives Matter.
2 Ways in which Individuals can Participate in their Political System
Protest. For example, in 2020, over 20 million US citizens took part in Black Lives Matter protests.
Join and campaign for them during election periods. For example, there are 2 main political parties in the US which are the Democrats and Republicans.
Why some Groups of People are Poorly Represented in the US Government
Very expensive to stand as a candidate. For example, in 2020, the Biden campaign cost approximately $6.6 billion.
Gender stereotypes. For example, in January 2025, only 29% of the House of Representatives were women.
2 Reasons why some Groups are Less Likely to Participate in Politics than others in the USA
Voter registration. For example, in the 2020 Presidential election, 71% of white Americans voted compared to only 54% of Hispanic/Latino voters.
Lack of education. For example, black males are the most likely group to drop out of high school and college across the USA meaning they could lack knowledge of the political system or ways to get involved in politics in their community.
2 Reasons why the USA has the Ability to Influence other Countries
Wealth. For example, in 2022, the USA had the highest GDP in the world with $25.44 trillion.
Entrepreneurship. For example, the US is home to many iconic products such as Apple, Coca Cola, Microsoft and Amazon.
2 Ways the USA has had an Impact on other Countries
International aid. For example, in 2023, $60.4 billion was given to USAID, the US Agency for International Development where the money went to 70 countries including Syria, Ukraine and Yemen.
NATO. For example, in 2022, former President Biden, focused on ensuring NATO remained united in the face of Russian aggression in Ukraine.
2 Ways the USA can have an Economic Influence on other Countries
Created some of the most recognisable brands in the world. For example, Amazon has a warehouse in Dunfermline, Fife.
Receives traded goods. For example, the USA is by far the biggest export market for Irish Whiskey.
Why World Powers try to Gain Influence over other Countries
To make money and boost their economy. For example, in Scotland, around 90,000 people have jobs in American companies.
Less likely to be involved in war and conflict. For example, the USA have over 750 naval bases around the world spending $900 trillion on defence each year.
Wants other countries to get behind international priorities. For example, the USA rejoined the Paris Climate Agreement in 2021 which encouraged nations such as Ukraine and Thailand to do the same.
2 Reasons why World Powers have Political Influence on other Countries
Ability to impose sanctions on other countries. For example, following the invasion of Ukraine, the US pushed many of its allies to punish Russia including Germany which is reliant on Russian oil and gas.
Ability to make other countries change their minds on new policies/laws. For example, in 2024, Iraq planned to execute members of the LGBG community under a proposed law but following pressure from the US government, the Iraqi government changed their plans to imprisonment instead.
2 Causes of Socio-Economic Issues in the USA
Poverty. For example, in 2022, 37.9 million people lived in poverty in the USA.
Some people do not have access to a good education. For example, toral spend per pupil is much higher in New York ($22,000) than in Utah ($7,000).
Why some Groups are Less Successful than other due to Social and Economic Issues
Black and Hispanic people are most likely to suffer from economic issues in the US. For example, 17% of Black and Hispanic people are living in poverty in the US compared to 8.6% oWhite people.
At most risk of unemployment. For example, 13.2% of unemployed people in the US are teenagers with Nevada having the highest rate of unemployment.
People can not afford health insurance. For example, in 2022, 15% of the US population had no private health insurance or access to government benefits.
2 Ways some People Experience Either Social or Economic Issues
(E) Unemployment. For example, many of the 5.2 million unemployed (August 2021) Americans are living in poverty and struggling to meet their needs.
(E) Low income. For example, according to the 2021 census, lower-income Americans pay a higher share of their income in food resulting in them struggling with housing costs.
2 Reasons why some Groups are more Socially and Economically Successful than Others
Asian Americans due to having a good education. For example, Asian teenagers have an average SAT score of 1,223.
Asian Americans are least likely to be involved in criminal activity. For example, in 2019, 1.3% if offences were committed by Asian Americans compared to 69.4% of White Americans.
2 Ways in which the Government has tried to Tackle Social and Economic Inequality
Obamacare/ACA (Affordable Care Act). For example, ACA enabled 20 million poorer Americans to get health insurance.
Head start gives nutritional and educational support to less affluent children. For example, over 1 million children enter kindergarten after getting support each year.
2 Reasons why Governments are Effective in Tackling Social and Economic Issues
Increased the number of people with health insurance. For example, in January 2023, a further 16.3 million Americans signed up for health insurance dur to the continued advertising and enrolment assistance.
SNAP. For example, SNAP has reached 44 million Americans each year suggesting that it helps a lot of families in need.
