USA (knowledge) Flashcards
(12 cards)
USA political system
Legislative - Makes laws and controls the budget. It can override the President’s veto with a two-thirds majority and declare wars
Executive - The President enforces laws and leads the military as Commander-in-Chief
Judicial - The Supreme Court, with 9 lifetime-appointed judges, interprets laws and ensures they follow the Constitution
Participation in the USA
Voting for candidates or political parties in elections.
Joining and supporting a political party
Attending rallies, protests or demonstrations
Why some groups of people are less likely to participate than others
Language barrier (Hispanic)- Georgia’s primary election ballots are just in English
Role Models (Young) - 2020 Presidential choice between a 74-year-old or 78 years
Cost of ID (Low income) - ID can cost up to $58.50
How well groups are represented in the US political system
Hispanic - 10% of Congress 19% of population
Women - 28% of Congress 51% of population
Young - Average age of Senate 64
Why some groups are underrepresented in US political system
Women - lack of role models - no female President
Hispanic - low voter engagement - so less likely to be voted in
Young - rules - President must be at least 35
Social inequalities
Low Income - Health Insurance Cost high - having a baby can cost $10,000
Black Americans - lack of educational investments - communities of colour receive $23 billion less
Native Americans - Low life expectancy
Economic inequalities
Black Americans - racial discrimination - much less likely to be called back for job interviews than whites
Indian Americans’ unemployment - not having the ability to afford to go to university - Jobless rates of American indians are 6.6% but Jobless rates of white Americans are 3.5%
Young - gov help targets wrong groups - most of the 40 mill Americans below the poverty line are not elderly
What government measures there are to tackle income and wealth inequalities
SNAP - 44 mill receive food stamps
Min Wage - $7.25 federal minimum
Medicaid - providing medical services to low-income people - 78.5 million people were enrolled in dec 2024
How the USA has military influence over other countries
Spends most 37% of all global spending
Can send troops to secure Mexican border
Agree to treaties - nuclear treaty with Russia renewed in 2022
How the USA has economic influence over other countries
Tariffs raised to 25% on Chinese steel
GDP - $10trill higher than next highest
Sanctions - on Russia after Ukraine
How the USA has political influence over other countries
Peace talks - Russia/Ukraine
Treaties - The Paris Agreement in 2015 for climate change
Land discussions - take over Gaza
Why the USA wants influence
Security - keep citizens safe
Peace - Russia and Ukraine - make the world safer
Money - tariffs to protect US industries
