National 5 USA

Flashcards about a world power - National 5 USA - for the 2025 Exam

Legislative Branch (Congress)

America’s parliament that makes laws, scrutinises the executive and authorizes government spending. It is divided into the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Executive Branch (President)

The main legislator in the US government. The President implements and proposes laws, represents the US abroad, and is the Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces.

Supreme Court

The branch of the US Government that consists of 9 judges who determine if a law passed is constitutional.

Voting in Elections

US citizens aged 18 and over can vote for representatives at federal, state and county level.

Protesting

Citizens can speak their mind and can protest, march and demonstrate against laws they disagree with.

Joining an Interest Group

Groups of like-minded individuals that campaign on a certain issue via protests and online campaigns.

Regular Elections and Choice of Candidates

Citizens can vote at both state and federal level for positions such as mayor, governor, senator and President. Candidates often come from the Republican and Democrat parties.

Joining a Political Party

Anyone over the age of 18 is allowed to join and influence decisions made by a political party.

Freedom of Speech

Guaranteed in the Bill of Rights, American media is not censored and citizens can voice their opinions in public and criticize the government.

Why White People May Be More Likely to Vote

Having benefited from it traditionally, being more wealthy, having higher levels of education and there being far more White role models in politics.

Why White Males Are More Likely to Participate in Politics

US politics is seen as a “white man's game” dominated by middle-aged white males, this group is more likely to become involved as they feel their views are being represented.

Candidates in US Elections Have to Raise Enormous Sums of Money

Ethnic minorities are more likely to live in poverty, meaning that they have more important priorities such as finding a job than becoming involved in politics.

Why African Americans Are Less Likely to Vote

They may feel the system doesn’t work for them based on the mistreatment, abuse and denial of the right to vote in the history of the USA.

Lack of Role Models

Few significant role models to look up to for inspiration, many minority voters felt the system was white, middle class and middle aged and would deliver nothing for them. Many felt their vote would make no difference.

Candidates in US Elections Also Have to Raise Enormous Sums of Money

Ethnic minorities are more likely to live in poverty, meaning that they have more important priorities such as finding a job than becoming involved in politics.

Caring responsibilities

Women are often seen as carers and take career breaks to have children. However, a political career can take years to develop meaning women rarely rise to high profile jobs like politicians.

Lack of Role Models

The UK, Argentina, Brazil, New Zealand and Germany have all had women as their top leaders. However, there has never been a female President in the US. Therefore it can then be really off putting for women if they look at politics as a place that is not very friendly or welcoming to women.

Candidates in US Elections Also Have to Raise Enormous Sums of Money

Women are more likely to live in poverty, meaning that they have more important priorities – such as finding a job – than thinking about becoming involved in politics, let alone set about trying to raise funds for an election campaign.

Inequalities in Relation to Health

Many Americans cannot afford high quality healthcare as it is too expensive or are denied healthcare because of existing illnesses.

Health Inequalities Exist Because Ethnic Minorities Are More Likely to Be Uninsured

African and Hispanic Americans are more likely to live in poverty than White Americans and be unable to afford the cost of private medical care.

Health Inequality Exists Because of Lifestyle Choices

African Americans are more likely to be unhealthy because of the African American culture of having a diet of fried and fatty foods.

Discrimination

Black Americans and Hispanics have suffered systematic and long-term discrimination and have faced barriers to progress, and they have subsequently fallen victim to the poverty cycle.

Black and Hispanic Americans Have Access to Lower Quality Education or Can’t Attend Higher Education Due to Poverty

Black and Hispanic people have limited access to higher status jobs that offer higher wages.

The Types of Jobs That People Do Can Result in Economic Inequality

Hispanics often carry out low paid and often physically demanding jobs which ordinary Americans do not want to do or would only do for much higher wages.

Health Inequalities

They are more likely to be uninsured than the American population as a whole. In the USA people have to take out private health insurance for themselves or their families.

Poor Housing Conditions

Ethnic minorities are more likely to be found living in these poor conditions and are therefore less likely to make progress.

Education

There are wide inequalities within the public school system based upon the economic status of those that live in the area. Schools in more affluent areas have resources to motivate the pupils to have better exam results.

To Protect Its People

Could be from wars with other countries or the rise terrorism.

To Increase Their Economy

Create more jobs and increase the income of people in their country.

To Create Allies in Other Countries

To work together with other countries to achieve common goals.

Membership in International Organisations

The US is one of the five permanent members which gives the US huge influence as they have a key part to play in decisions affecting other countries for example; economic sanctions or to take military action against a country.

Influence to Make Global Agreements

Many countries around the world will be more likely to join an international agreement if the USA does such as tackling Climate Change.

Member of the G8

The G8 is a group of the eight most powerful countries in the world. Its aim is to try to tackle global problems by discussing big issues and planning what action to take.

US Has Helped to Create Employment and Jobs Across the Globe

Many of the world’s biggest companies are based in the US and have offices across the globe such as Apple and Facebook.

US Has an Influence Over Other Countries Through Trade

Many countries rely on the US for trading and its exports such as fuel, machinery and electricals.

The USA Has the World’s Largest Economy

If there was a downturn in the economy of the USA this would effect the rest of the world as the value of goods and services produced each year is thought to be around 25% of the world’s total.

Military Bases Around the World

America has military bases across the world to support their allies against any threat. These bases ensure a rapid response to any perceived threat such as from Russia.

Military Power and Spending

As the US is the largest spender on defence this can force other countries such as China and Russia to spend more to compete. Many countries look to the US for help in times of conflict.

The USA Is the Most Influential Member of NATO

In terms of finance, troop and resource commitments to NATO, the USA provides far more than any other single member of the Alliance.

Affordable Care Act (ACA) Also Known as Obamacare

The act gives people more health security by reducing the costs of medical insurance and improving the quality of healthcare. Government tax credits will be available to those on a low income to help pay for health insurance. Companies will no longer be able to refuse cover based on previous health problems.

Government Response to Tackle Educational Inequalities Is STEM Education Funding

Pledged to give Americans opportunity to access tools and education to help them succeed particularly within STEM subjects.

Medicaid

A person may be eligible for it if they are a U.S. citizen and have a household income below a certain level. This includes many low-income adults, children, pregnant women, elderly adults and people with disabilities.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

Under SNAP low-income families are provided with a card which can be used like a debit card to purchase eligible food in authorised retail food stores.

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

TANF grants to states to cover benefits and services targeted at families who require support.

Issuing Unemployment Benefits During the Covid-19 Pandemic

States can provide unemployment benefits for temporary unemployment related to coronavirus so that families can meet their basic needs and afford food and necessities, helping them to provide for their children.