Key Features of the USA and the system of Government Flashcards
What is the Pledge of Allegiance?
- I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God indivisible, with liberty and justice for all
- Americans take being a citizen very seriously
What is an estimate for population and the difference between living in cities to rural areas?
- The population is over 300 million
- It is highly urbanised and developed. 83% live in cities. 17% in rural areas
What are the rough percentages of the different ethnicities in the US?
- Non-Hispanic White, 63% (from a variety of European backgrounds but predominantly British, German, Irish, Italian, and Eastern European).
- Black, 13% (most descendants of African slaves).
- Hispanic/ Latino, 17% (mostly Central and South American).
- Asian, 5% (mostly Chinese, Japanese, and Korean).
- Others, 2% (from everywhere else)
Where does the US rank in countries economy and what is its GDP per capita?
- Biggest economy in the world. Mostly self-sufficient.
- GDP per capita - $55,805 (World average - c. $10,000)
What are the main languages of the US and what the percentages for the different religions across the country?
- Overwhelmingly English, but Spanish growing
- 48% Protestant, 22% Catholic, 8% Other Christian, 22% other religions and non-believers (Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist - almost all in the bigger cities
What is the Melting pot theory?
(Preferable method) When you come to America your first loyalty is to the United States. You cannot own more than one passport. (Assimilation)
What is the Salad bowl theory?
Policy of multiculturalism. Can keep your entire identity, you do not have to assimilate, your’e able to keep your traditions
What is the origin of the Constitution and what does it do?
- Folllowing the War of Independence from Britain, America decided to have a written (codified) constitution which was agreed upon in 1787.
- It sets down how the country should be run, what rights people have and the freedoms they’re entitled to
Why has the Constitution only ever been changed or amended 27 times in 227 years?
It is a long and complicated process to change or amend it
What is the Federal Republic?
One national government in Washington DC governs the whole country. Most responsible for foreign and national economic policy
What are state governments?
- 50 individual state governments,
- Each with its own specific laws/ responsibilities,
- All set out in the constitution that deals with most of the other day-to-date aspects of life
What are the three branches of government, (all co-equal in power)?
- President - Joe Biden
- Congress (like Parliament) is made up of 2 houses. The Senate (100 members, 2 from each state regardless of size). House of Representatives (435 members from across the country)
- Supreme Court - 9 judges appointed for life by the President when a vacancy arises
What are the two main parties of the federal system?
The Republicans and the Democrats
What is The Republican party?
- Centre-right to generally right wing.
- Similar to the Conservatives in the UK, although much further to the right on both economics and social policy
What is The Democrat party?
- Mainly centre-left.
- Share similarities with the Labour Party in the UK, although closer to the right of New Labour
