USA- MODS

• Another reason why the USA can have an economic influence on other countries?


  Another reason why the USA can have an economic influence on other countries is because of the power of the US dollar. The USA trades with countries globally and the US Dollar is the 'world reserved currency'. For example, 80% of all financial transitions take place in US dollars, so it gives the USA great influence at the centre of the global finance system.
• Describe in detail, two ways in which the world power you have studied can have a political influence on other countries.


  The world power I have studied is the USA.

  
  

  One way in which the USA can have a political influence on other countries is because it is a superpower. This means that the USA has a great influence to choose which country to befriend as others countries look up to it. For example, when a new US President is first elected, they set the 'pecking order' of countries closest to them and not the other way round as the US President is regarded as the most powerful political leader in the world.
• Another way in which the US can have a political influence on other countries?


  Another way the USA can have a political influence on other countries is because it is enhanced by its key role to international organisations, such as the UN. The USA is a founding member of the UN so it has special influence as one of the five members of the UN Security Council. its peacekeeping body. For example, the USA can use a special 'veto' which is a blocking vote which gives it extra power to influence the UN actions in conflict zones in other counties such as Israel.
• Describe, in detail two ways in which the world power you have studied can have a military influence on other countries.


  The world power I have studied is the USA.

  
  

  One way the USA can have a military influence on other countries is by the money they spend on military defence compared to any other country in the world. This means that other countries actions are influenced by its sheer size and gives the USA the power to influence just by a threat. For example, when the world became concerned with North Korea over its nuclear programme, the USA used that influence to threaten North Korea to a war which led to Kim Jong Un backing down.
• Describe another way in which the USA can have a military influence on other countries.


  Another way in which the USA can have a military influence is because it is enhanced by its membership and a key role in NATO who are the world policeman. This means that the USA funds 70% of NATO and even this financial backing makes NATO possible to enable the USA to influence a lot of countries that are far away. For example, the USA has military presence and influence across the globe because of NATO membership, such as aircraft carriers etc.
• Explain in detail, why the responses of the world power you might have studied might be considered effective in tackling socio-economic inequalities?


  The world power I have studied is the USA. The responses of the government of the USA might be considered effective as it has reduced poverty levels. This is because less people are struggling to meet their basic needs, such as food, clothing and shelter. For example the SNAP Food Stamps programme offers nutritional assistance to millions of low income families to provide a safety net out of hunger. This means that in 2018, over 42 million Americans received this support and were lifted out of food poverty.
• Another effective way by the government to tackle socio economic inequality


  The response of the government of the USA also might be considered effective as it has provided more people with health care. This is because more people have cover through the Affordable Care Act. For example, by 2018, nine million more Americans had decent health insurance as a result of Obamacare. This means that if they get sick or need treatment many more people will be able to access hospital and medical treatment and not like things before where they were forced out of hospitals if they did not pay for medication.
• Another effective way by the government to tackle socio-economic inequality.


  Finally, the response of the US government might be considered effective as it has helped children in families. This is because the government considers the children of families to be the most vulnerable groups in society who would struggle to meet their basic needs. For example, each year the US government has spend nearly $20 billion on the TANF programme which is Temporary Assistance for needy families. This means that families on low incomes receive support for things like childcare etc.
• Explain in detail two reasons why some groups of people are MORE likely to participate in politics than others?


  The world power I have studied is the USA

  
  

  One reason why some groups of people are more likely to participate in politics is because of wealth. This is because campaigns are expensive to run in the USA so if you have money you have more chance of success. For example, Joe Biden's campaign costed over $928 million and this benefited him to defeat Trump. This means that wealthy and well-connected people have a better chance and makes their efforts worthwhile as they would have financial backing.
• Another reason why some groups are more likely to participate than others?


  Another reason why some groups of people are more likely to participate in politics is because they may be well educated. This is because educated people understand the system and are more politically engaged. For example, research findings from Pew Research had shown that 79% of college graduates participated in last 12 months compared to 44% of those who dropped out in high school. This means that there is a big gap in participation between these groups, based upon levels of education.
• Explain, in detail why the group you have chosen is under represented in the American Congress


  The world power I have studied is the USA.

  
  

  One reason why ethnic minorities are under-represented in the American Congress is because they have fewer role models. This is because there has historically been a shortage of people who are willing or able to follow a political career so there are not many people to look up to in order to follow their lead. For example, In 2019 there was a total of 5 Billion Black members of the US Congress the biggest number in the 21st century but given that African Americans make up 12% of the population, they are still under represented. This means that there has never been a fair representation of Black politicians to inspire the next generation.
• Another reason why the group you have chosen is under represented in the American Congress.


  Another reason why ethnic minorities are under represented in the American congress is because of racism. This is because the US Political System is designed to allow racial prejudice to exist to allow rich, white men to dominate. For example, even though whites make up only 66% of the population, the account for 77% of the Congress. This means that all other ethnic groups are under-represented apart from the white race.
• Another reason why the group you have chosen is under represented in the American Congress.


  Another reason why ethic minorities are under-represented in the American Congress is because of the lack of educational qualifications. This is because not completing school may lead to lower levels of political literacy or interest in politics. For example, Just over 1/2 American Indian, Hispanic and American teenagers graduate from high school compare to ever 3/4 of Asian and white teenagers. This means that being better educated gives you a higher chance of getting into the US Congress, which is something many ethnic minorities miss out on.
• Explain, in detail, the causes of socio-economic inequality in the USA


  One cause of socio-economic inequality in the USA is discrimination, which is any kind of unfair treatment of individuals or groups. This is because some groups in society, such as women and ethnic minorities have in the past and continue to experience unfair treatment in education, employment or even law. For example, the poverty rate for Black Americans in 2017 was 21% the highest in all of any group in the USA. This means that the racist laws that once existed in the USA have put so many African Americans in a poverty trap even today.
• Another cause of socio-economic inequality in the USA.


  Another cause of socio economic inequality in the USA is a lack of education. This is because we know that education is the key to the American Dream and so lack of schooling will lead to higher levels of inequality for particular groups. For example, just 1/2 of American Indians, Hispanic and African American teenagers graduate from high school compared with 3/4 of White and Asians. This means that these two groups being more likely to progress to university and getting the better job will help them achieve the American Dream.
• Another cause of socio-economic inequality in the USA.


  Another cause of socio economic inequality in the USA is a lack of good health care. This is because the US system of health provision is mainly based upon being able to pay for private health insurance via your employer and is not regarded as a basic right of citizenship so not everyone would have equal access. For example, this meant that 17% of Hispanics had no health insurance compared to only 8% of Whites that did. This means that people from Hispanic backgrounds had less equal access to healthcare because they either could not afford it or their employer would not provide it.
• Describe the ways in which the government has responded to the problem of social inequality?


  The government of the USA has responded to the problem of social inequality by improving the way healthcare is provided through the Affordable Care Act. This is known as Obamacare and aims to give more US citizens and their families better access to healthcare through their employer and state funding. For example, since it was introduced in 2013, over 9 million more people have access to decent healthcare.
• Another way in which the government has responded to the problem of social inequality?


  The government of the USA has also responded to the problem of social inequality by investing more money into children's access to education. This seen as the key to reducing social inequality as those who graduate from high school as more likely to achieve the American Dream. For example, the Race to the Top fund aims to reduce educational inequalities by reducing expulsion and drop out rates of ethnic minority students, improving exam result in inner-city schools and increasing college admissions for minority students.
• Another ways in which the government has responded to the problem of social inequality?


  The government of the USA has also responded to the problem of social inequality by helping families in poverty. This means helping them meet their basic needs, like accessing enough food especially since child poverty has become such a big issue in recent years. For example, the Food Stamps programme helped over 42 million families access food by 2018.
• Describe the ways in which the government of the USA has responded to the problem of economic inequality. (6 marks)


  The government of the USA has responded to the problem of economic inequality by proving financial welfare to unemployed people. This is only for people who can prove they are actively seeking work and is paid for by each state on an individual basis. The Welfare to Work Programme provides financial support for a total of five years across a person's life if they lose employment.
• Another way in which the government of the USA has responded to the problem of economic inequality.


  The government of the USA has also responded to the problem of economic inequality through the Office of Workforce Investment. This helps citizens find work. For example, the OWI provides citizens with information, advice and job search assistance and even helps people to access training to access more skilled employment.
• Another ways in which the government of the USA has responded to the problem of economic inequality.


  Finally, the Government of the USA has responded to the economic inequalities caused by the Covid 19 pandemic. President Biden has created an economic recovery package to help the US economic bounce back. For example, to help people back into employment in order to reduce financial inequality as a result of Covid 19, the Whitehouse National Economic Council has raised the federal minimum wage to $15 a hour to provide a critical lifeline to workers.
• One Way the usa has an economic influence is by influencing other countries to try and attract US businesses. Countries, like the UK, will

  try to benefit from big businesses in the US and will do things such as lower taxes on US companies in the hope they will come and create jobs. For example in Scotland around 90,000 people have jobs in American companies and if they leftScotalnd it would lead to a lot of poverty.