World Power (USA)

Question 1

Rights of USA citizens/ Ways they can participate:

Answer 1

Right to vote

Right to join a political party

Supporting an election campaign

Joining an interest group

Question 2

Right to vote example:

Answer 2

For example, the American people elected Joe Biden as President in 2020.

Question 3

Right to join a political party example:

Answer 3

For example, USA citizens can join the Democratic Party.

Question 4

Supporting an election campaign example:

Answer 4

For example, in the 2020 presidential election campaign, $1.7 billion was donated to Joe Biden’s campaign, while nearly $2 billion was donated to Donald Trump’s campaign.

Question 5

Joining an interest group example:

Answer 5

For example, the largest interest group in the USA is the National Rifle Association which campaigns against restrictions on gun ownership.

Question 6

Ways the USA has political influence on other countries:

Answer 6

They get involved in political affairs of other countries.

They can influence political decisions made with international organisations.

Question 7

They get involved in political affairs of other countries example:

Answer 7

For example, the USA has played a role in peace negotiations between Israel and Palestine.

Question 8

They can influence political decisions made with international organisations example:

Answer 8

For example, the USA played a role in getting China and India to sign up to the ‘Glasgow Agreement’.

Question 9

Ways the USA has economic influence on other countries:

Answer 9

It is the world’s largest trading partner.

Many of the world’s largest multi-national companies are from the USA.

Many developing countries rely on the USA for financial aid.

Question 10

It is the world’s largest trading partner example:

Answer 10

For example, the USA is the largest trading partner for Canada and Mexico.

Question 11

Many of the world’s largest multi-national companies are from the USA example:

Answer 11

For example, Amazon is an American company and has had company layoffs over the world.

Question 12

Many developing countries rely on the USA for financial aid example:

Answer 12

For example, the USA has been one of the largest providers of financial aid to Haiti, following the earthquake there in 2010.

Question 13

Ways the USA has military influence on other countries:

Answer 13

Being involved in many conflicts and wars in other countries.

The USA is a key member of organisations such as the G8, NATO and the UN Security Council.

By far the world’s most armed nation.

Question 14

Being involved in many conflicts and wars in other countries example:

Answer 14

For example, in recent years, the US military has participated in military action in Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan.

Question 15

The USA is a key member of organisations such as the G8, NATO and the UN Security Council example:

Answer 15

For example, there is a US military base in Poland to be able to respond to threats from Russia.

Question 16

By far the world’s most armed nation example:

Answer 16

For example, in 2020/21, the USA spent over $700 billion on defence.

Question 17

Reasons why the USA would want to influence other countries:

Answer 17

Because they can distract from domestic issues such as inequality. - military

Because they can increase the US’ company profits through exporting goods. - economic

Because they want to promote the USA’s political ideology of liberalism which can increase the number of allies. - political

(As the American political system is based on ‘liberalism’, if the USA influence other countries through funding or endorsement of politicians, they will increase the number of allies they have which can benefit them strategically.)

Question 18

Why the USA want military influence example:

Answer 18

The USA sold over $300m worth of bombs to Saudi Arabia to be used in the war in Yemen.

Question 19

Why the USA want economic influence example:

Answer 19

The USA is the largest trading partner for Canada and Mexico.

Question 20

Why the USA want political influence example:

Answer 20

The USA intervened in Latin American elections in countries such as Chile, influencing who should run their country.

Question 21

Roles/powers of the President:

Answer 21

Power of appointment since he is the head of the Executive.

Power of veto.

Question 22

Power of appointment since he is the head of the Executive example:

Answer 22

For example, Barack Obama selected Sonia Sofomayor for the position of Supreme Court Judge, the first Hispanic to hold such a post.

Question 23

Power of veto example:

Answer 23

For example, Biden signed a bill into law in 2021 establishing June 19th as Juneteenth National Independence Day- a US federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the US.

Question 24

Role/power of the Executive:

Answer 24

The running of the government.

Question 25

The running of the government example:

Answer 25

For example, the Executive was able to recall Congress during holidays, following the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina in order to pass an emergency spending plan.

Question 26

Role/power of Congress:

Answer 26

To make federal laws.

Question 27

To make federal laws example:

Answer 27

For example, the US Congress passed the Stolen Valor Act of 2005, punishing those who misrepresent that they have high military honours.

Question 28

Role/power of the Supreme Court:

Answer 28

To interpret laws and to determine whether a bill or law is constitutional or not.

Question 29

Role/power of the Supreme Court example: