Modern Studies - USA

• Political system of the USA - Legislative branch


  • Consists of the House of Representatives and the Senate, for a bill to become a law, it needs support from both chambers
• Current President Joe Biden authorised the use of troops to evacuate Kabul airport

  2021
• Political system of the USA - Executive branch

  • Led by the US President, has powers including being Commander in Chief of the US armed forces
• Political system of the USA - Judicial branch

  • The Supreme Court is the highest court, has the power to interpret laws and determine their compatibility with the Constitution
• Joe Biden stood as a candidate for President for the Democrats and won

  2020
• Participation in politics in the USA - Standing as a candidate

  • People put themselves forward for political office, like running for President or Senator
• The Supreme Court approved same-sex marriage in all 50 states

  Recent years
• Congress passed the Animal Cruelty Act to stop people making Animal Crush videos


  2019
• Participation in politics in the USA - Voting

  • People decide who represents them in elections from local to federal levels
• Bernie Sanders was elected to serve another term in the Senate for Vermont


  2018
• Participation in politics in the USA - Joining a political party

  • People become affiliated with a political party they share values with, influencing party policies and candidate selection
• Less educated individuals may not participate in politics due to the complexity of the US political system
• Young people in America may not vote as they feel ignored by politicians
• Retired people in the USA are more likely to participate in politics
• Historically, many Latinos in the USA place less value on voting due to experiences in countries with corrupt governments
• Government was corrupt


  They often just ignore the votes of the people
• Women are underrepresented in politics in the USA due to the incumbency effect


  Around 75% of Congress is male, benefiting from the incumbency effect
• Women are underrepresented in politics in the USA due to the cost of US elections


  Around $14 billion was spent in the 2020 election, making it difficult for women to afford to campaign
• Women are underrepresented in politics in the USA due to sexism they face

  Only 25% of governors and people in Congress were women after 2022
• More educated people are more likely to participate in politics in the USA

  Postgraduates had a turnout of 80% in the 2016 presidential election, but turnout for those with less than high school qualifications was just over 30%
• White people are more likely to participate in politics in the USA

  Turnout for Whites in the 2016 presidential election was around 65%, but turnout for Hispanics was around 20%
• Retired people are more likely to participate in politics in the USA

  Turnout for over 60s in the 2016 presidential election was over 70%, but turnout for 18-29-year-olds was just over 40%
• Government places less value on the vote than other groups in America

  Turnout for Whites in the 2016 presidential election was around 65%, but turnout for Hispanics was around 20%
• Ethnic minorities are underrepresented in politics in the USA due to racism


  The abuse ethnic minorities face can put them off getting involved and standing as a candidate
• Ethnic minorities are underrepresented in politics in the USA due to the incumbency effect


  It is easier for incumbents to stay in office, disadvantaging ethnic minorities
• During the 2020 election, the name of Vice President Kamala Harris was often mocked openly even by fellow senators because of her Indian/Black Caribbean heritage
• Another reason why ethnic minorities are underrepresented in politics in the USA is because the incumbency effect makes it harder to get elected
• Once elected, it is easier to stay in office due to tax-payer paid benefits such as paying for letters to all voters on what has been done in office
• This makes it easier for Whites to keep power as 75% of Congress is White
• Candidates in US elections must raise huge sums of money to fight elections to pay for their campaign
• Ethnic minorities are more likely to live in poverty and so less likely to be able to afford to campaign or know people who would donate enough money to their campaign
• A final reason why ethnic minorities are underrepresented in politics in the USA is because of the cost of US elections making it harder to get elected
• Around $14 billion was spent in the 2020 election which shows how expensive it can be
• The USA is one of the 5 permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, which means they can veto anything proposed by other countries in relation to maintaining international peace and security
• One political influence of the USA comes from membership of the United Nations Security Council
• For example, the USA has vetoed a resolution proposed by the Security Council condemning Israeli violence on the Gaza Strip
• As the USA produces many goods, and consumes energy and products, it produces many of the greenhouse gases that cause climate change
• Another political influence of the US comes from its ability to affect climate change through policies
• Changes it makes to its policy on the environment can improve or worsen climate change significantly
• For example, Donald Trump pulled out of the Paris Agreement designed to prevent climate change, and many scientists believed that this would make global warming inevitable