N5 Modern Studies CDHS
World Power USA – Supported Study
Remember the exam question will not refer
to the USA specifically. It will ask about a
world power you have studied.
In your answers aim to
Make your point, explain it and give an
example. Don’t make the examiner do the
work.
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Describe the roles of the branches of government in the world power you have studied
Executive Branch – President and staff in Whitehouse
•Suggests laws to congress
•Enforces/carries out the laws
•Role of President (Commander in Chief of armed forces)
•Approve laws passed by Congress but can Veto some.
Legislative Branch – Congress ( House of
Representatives 435 and Senate 100 – 2 each state)
•Makes laws – E.g. Affordable Health Care Act (Obamacare) / Aid for Ukraine and
sanctions on Russia for actions in Ukraine and Crimea
•Can block laws
•October 2013 – Congress blocked Budget bill – wanted cuts to Obamacare
before passing. 16 day govt shutdown.
Judicial Branch – Supreme Court
•Makes sure new laws don’t break the constitution
•Chosen by President
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•Texas girl taking Affirmative Action case to Supreme Court
Describe the roles of government institutions in the world power you have studied
Federal Government
Makes sure laws
congress pass don’t
break the constitution.
9 judges –
appointed by
President
Implements
laws passed
by Congress
e.g. Affordable
Health Care
Act
Last court of
appeal
100
Is Texas Uni
wrong for
affirmative
action case
435
2 per
state
Can Veto laws
passed by
congress
Recommended
Obamacare
Debate and
pass laws b4
sent to
President for
approval
16 day govt shutdown
Oct 2013 when refused
to pass Budget.
Approved aid for
Ukraine and sanctions
on Russia.
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Separation of powers in blue  All must agree
Roles in political system of world power
Deploys troops and send them abroad. E.g. Iraq and Afganistan
Only person who can deploy nuclear weapons
Ordered assassination of Osama Bin Laden
Helped overthrow Colonel Gadaffi in Libya
Chief Diplomat - Head of Sate- Represent USA in G8 and G20(Economic) meetings.
Represents the USA in foreign relations. E.g. Visit to David Cameron.
Appoints heads of member of government departments.
January – State of the Union address. Outlines plans/laws
for the year
Recommended Obamacare – The Affordable Health Care Act
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Political system of the world power – not too much power in one place.
President can Veto
laws passed by
congress
If Congress has a 2/3rds
majority in both houses, it
can override a Presidential
veto.
President appoints
judges to the supreme
court.
This must be passed by
Congress
The President
controls the military
Only Congress can declare
war
The President
suggests laws.
Only
Congress can
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2014
pass laws
Federal system is repeated at State level
Federal Government System
Federal makes some
decisions about the whole
country.
More chances for political participation e.g.
federal, state and local.
People vote for
Postal
Defence / war
People vote for
Currency
Individual states allowed to
pass their own laws on
some issues.
Death penalty
Age of consent
Education.
Gun ownership
Texas has death penalty
Education
Age of Consent
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Explain the impact/ influence of the world power you have studied
Economy
•Wealthiest country in the world. Most technologically advanced.
•UK’s single biggest trading partner. Any problems in USA affect GB.
•E.g. Fannie Mae housing market crisis sparked a world wide depression
•American brands have shops in UK e.g. Nike, Apple
•Member of G20 with UK – biggest world wide economies, work for economic solution and
financial growth e.g world wide depression
Military
•Most powerful military country in the world.
•The USA is strongest power in NATO ( Peace keeping force)
•US military action in Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya and Osama Bin Laden
•GB has a ‘special relationship’ with USA – joined military actions. E.g.Iraq, Afghanistan
Culture
•American culture has led to ‘Americanization’ of British culture through American brands
and TV. McDonalds, Subway, Apple, Google, Microsoft. The food we eat, clothes we were,
technology we use.
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Military
Economic
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Culture
Participation in politics in the world power
California
Governor
-Jerry
Brown.
YOLO
Sheriff Ed
Prieto
Vote for people to represent you
at Federal, State and Local
level. President, Senators,
House of Representatives. State
Governor, mayor, dog catcher.
Contact your representative
about a concern.
Take part in a protest to
influence government
decision making.
Phone, letter,
social media
site
Fastfood living wage
protest. Orange
jumpsuits
Guantanamo bay.
White House E-petitions
Stand as a candidate. As
President if over 35 and US
citizen.
Join a political party
which represents your
beliefs. Republican or
Democrats.
Donate money to a
preferred candidate.
To join an interest group
which works to persuade
the government to
support an action or
change a law.
NRA supports
gun ownership.
Lobby
politicians,
posters
Canvass voters on phone to encourage
voters, display posters, wear badges, share
Help with campaigning of preferred
messages and tweets in favour of
political candidate.
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Miller 2014
candidate
Rights and Responsibilities in democracy in world power ( Attracts people)
Political
Economic
Take part in a protest to
influence government
decision making.
Safely, within the
Fastfood living
wage protest.
Orange jumpsuits
Guantanamo bay.
law.
Capitalist economy. The
right to set up your own
business and make
profit and become rich.
The right to bear arms
To use it
responsibly for
defence.
Pay taxes
The right to a fair trial
Obey the laws
Vote for people to represent you
at Federal, State and Local
level. President, Senators,
House of Representatives. State
Governor, mayor, dog catcher.
Stand for election. Join any
political party.
Use your vote
To join an interest
group which works to
persuade the
government to
support an action or
change a law.
Social
The right to worship any
religion.
Respect
religion of
others
and accept the
decision.
NRA supports
gun ownership.
Lobby politicians,
posters
Freedom of speech. Can
Not tell lies!
criticise the government
actions.
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Political inequalities – Is your world power democratic? Free elections/ Free Media/ Choice of parties
YES
NO
Choice of political
parties. Also
Green party.
Able to vote for
representatives at
Federal/State/Local level
Increased participation by women and ethnic
minorities. Due to
Role Models - 1st Ethnic minority President
2008. YOLO county sheriff – Ed Prieto
Media awareness – Vote or Die
Presidents only come from rich
Republicans or Democrats despite
presence of other political parties.
Social reasons
Economic
reasons
Low voter registration and turn
out levels. Decisions not
representative of all Americans
Political
reasons
US government (113th Congress) does not
reflect ethnic make up or gender make up of
the USA.
Issues
Women and Ethnic minorities under- affecting
these
represented.
groups
less likely
to be
discussed.
Improved education for minorities
Freedom of Speech
E-petitions
FOX news criticises
Obama. So can
newspapers
Freedom to Protest
Dec 2013
2012 B.O
spent $600
million on
election
12% population
Black
51% population
female
15% Hispanic
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Describe / Explain reason for political inequalities in your world power – gender and
ethnic minorities
Lack of participation e.g. voting or standing for election
gender and ethnic under representation
1.Standing for Office - Wealth
Costly to run for office. More white rich people able to afford it than minorities. 2012 M.R
and B.O spent $600 million each on election
2. Standing for Office – Lack of Role Models
B.O is a role model and inspiring minorities to stand for office, however majority of
politicians are white men. 113th congress is 81% male and 80% white. Women’s place is
considered in the home. – Glass ceiling. Minorities tend to be elected at local level rather
than state. E.g. YOLO in California, state sheriff Ed Prieto.
3. Less ethnic minority voting
Lower levels of education = less
voting
Black and Hispanic high drop out rate
Language barrier. Many have
English as a second language
politics is reported in English by Media
Poverty / unemployment = less
voting
Blacks and Hispanics have higher levels of poverty
than other ethnic groups e.g. barrio/projects. Poor
education
– unskilled work. Do not see politics as
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Miller 2014
helping them or relevant.
Population issue in the world power – Settlement / people wanting to come to it
Why come?
1. American Dream.
No
matter what your background.
2. Escape poverty e.g
Mexico $11,000 vs USA $37,000
3. Escape conflict e.g.
Vietnam
4. Political rights
•Voting e.g…
•Protest e.g…
•Freedom of speech e.g…
Hispanics fastest
growing
minority. 2050
will overtake
whites as
majority.
4. Economic rights
•Capitalism, set up own
business. Low taxes. Bill
Gates
5. Social rights
Many
Cubans
live in
Florida
Close to border with
Mexico
Native
Americans on
reservations.
Own laws.
E.g Gambling
Traditional slave states
•Good schools
•Freedom of religion
•Welfare –
Medicaid/TANF/ SNAP
E.g. California minimum wage
$8/hour
•Fair trial
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Concern over population issue in world power - Immigration
Concern about Immigration
Doing low paid, unskilled jobs American
born do not want. E.g fruit picking in
California, cleaning, restaurants, hotels.
Fill a gap – not stealing jobs.
Believe take jobs
from American born
citizens.
Poorer immigrants don’t pay
tax but have a higher reliance
on welfare than American
born. Leading to higher taxes,
especially in states with high
immigration. E.g. California.
Illegal immigrants do not pay
taxes.
Welcome Immigration
TANF
SNAP
MEDICAID
EDUCATION
2010 native
born 23%
reliance on 1
welfare,
immigrant
family 36%.
Increases population of some areas
like Baltimore. Regenerate area by
working.
Many legal immigrants set up businesses,
create jobs and pay taxes which benefit
America. 25% of new businesses created by
immigrants. They often bring skills as
doctors or nurses.
Immigration lets criminals, terrorists, drug
dealers into America.
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Social and Economic Issues in the world power
Can you describe the inequalities?
Can you explain why they exist?
Can you state what the government has done to address ( solve) them?
Social inequalities
-Educational attainment ( results/ quality of school/ access to education)
-Housing (Suburbs/ghettos/barrios)
-Crime/justice (treatment by police/ treatment by courts/ victim of crime)
--Health (life expectancy/ access to healthcare/ obesity / murder)
Economic inequalities
-Income
-Poverty
- Unemployment
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Social and Economic Issues in the world power– are caused by the poverty cycle
Social inequalities – Education – Not equal across USA
-Educational attainment can cause poverty, lack of qualifications makes it harder to
get a well paid job. More likely to do low skilled poorly paid work or be unemployed..
Poor Education
Poverty
Poor Housing
Low paid job/unemployment
-Poor education due to
Language
barrier e.g.
Hispanics
Blacks and
hispanics
have worst
educational
attainment.
Altho some
progress
has been
made.
Location –Inner
cities  Funding for
school. Poor areas
less taxes. E.g.
Detroit. Ghettos are
almost all ethnic
minorities and most
are poor.
Poorer quality
buildings and
resources. Lower
results. Fewer
teachers.
Poor Health
Harder to get a
mortgage. Trapped.
Drop out
rates. Highest
for Hispanics.
Lack of role
models valuing
education in
inner cities. No
academic
tradition in
family. Family
breakdown.
US govt has increased money to improve
education. To get better teachers. To
support low performing schools. To make
college more affordable. Bilingual Act –
need to be taught in own language to
overcome language barriers. Affirmative
Action
- Texas
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Miller 2014
Poverty
Leave school
to support
family.
Unable to
afford further
education.
Single mother
poverty.
Social and Economic Issues in the USA – are caused by the poverty cycle
Social - Housing – Not equal across USA
Homelessness
Ghetto – part of a city with nearly all ethnic minorities. Barrios is the Spanish equivalent.
Most are poor. They have many problems.
High
unemployment
Poverty
Vandalism,
rubbish, burnt
out buildings.
Poor Housing
Gangs
The Suburbs – on the edge of a city
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Drug trafficking
Social Issues – Health Inequalities/issues
Problems still
exist due to
B4
Obamacare!
NO NHS. Health care has to be paid for by insurance.
- Buy annual cover
-Some jobs provide it
BUT SOME COMPANIES
DENIED COVER!! 
1. Lack of
medical
cover/treatment
Poor people who can’t
afford can get help
from medicaid. Old
people- over 65, can
get help from
medicare. Both
funded by the
government.
•
Only basic treatment given.
•
Lots of resources spent on
HIV and Drug treatment
•
Only cover certain
illnesses
•
Not good preventative care
•
High levels of minorities
depend on it
2. Life
expectancy
Poor people who
don’t qualify for
medicaid but can’t
afford insurance get
no cover. Over 16%
none!
Think! Why
are they
poor?
3. Obesity
Blacks die on average 5 years
earlier than Whites.
Fastest growing problem –
Boom Boom!
Infant mortality highest amongst
ethnic minorities.
Heart disease and
diabetes.
Blacks have highest rates of HIV
than Whites.
1/3rd of US population
obese.
Gun related death in
projects/barrios
Black and Hispanic
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Miller 2014
Whites have most
cover. Blacks and
Hispanics have
least.
Black children least
likely to have cover
and see dr. Affects
problems with their
health long term
No interim
screenings –
problems only
picked up at
advanced stage.
Only get medical
help when condition
is serious.
Social Issues – Government Responses to health
Private healthcare
still available
Everybody has to
have health
insurance.
Illegals – still no
treatment. Tho their
children born in the
USA can.
OPPOSITION
-Lead to higher taxes to
pay for it.
-Rich paying for poor 
-Higher premiums for
others to fund poorer.
Government will help
the poorest afford it.
More preventative
care e.g. screening
for cancer
Children with preexisting conditions
can’t be denied
treatment.
No limits on amount
of treatment.
-Don’t like ‘ have to have
healthcare’ nanny state.
Affordable Care Act
-16day govt shutdown Oct
2013 – tried to restrict
Obamacare in return for
passing budget.
-Expensive at a time of
economic depression.
Prevent abuse by
Insurance
companies.
E.g. amount of
treatment. / preexisting conditions.
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SUPPORT
-Refer to health
inequalities in USA!
Economic Issues – Poverty inequalities and Government Responses to Poverty
American Recovery
and Reinvestment
Act 2009
15% of USA in
poverty.
Ethnic minorities
have high levels of
poverty.
Poor Education
Due
to?
Type of job - Low
skilled work. Legal
status.
Unemployment
Reliance of
welfare
1.Making Work Pay
Tax Credit Scheme.
2.Creation of new
jobs to stop
depression
$400 per person. Helps
poorest and hardworking
families. But finished at the
start of 2013.
Created 3 million jobs
3.$20 billion
increase for SNAP –
Food stamps to
fight hunger
Racism
But only given for 5 years in a
lifetime
Cuts in benefit level over
previous years caused poverty.
Not enough time to learn skills
for well paid job. Remain in
unskilled jobs.
4. Increased income Encourage people to
learn new skills to
support for TANF –
find work. Provides
Temporary
childcare. Some
Assistance for
families income rose
Needy Families
by 35%
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(Welfare)
Progress of ethnic minorities – They have made progress in overcoming inequalities
Role Models – To encourage success through academic / work routes
-Barack Obama
-Condaleeza Rice – US Secretary of State for President Bush
-Oprah Winfrey , Tiger Woods, Beyonce
Black Middle Class
Affirmative action helped generation of blacks achieve educational opportunities ( busing/ uni entrance) to go on to
become professions. However – moved out of ‘ black’ areas taking wealth with them  leaving ghettos. Middle
class black flight.
50% of Blacks are middle class ( but 74% of white are middle class)
Better educational prospects
Despite high drop out rate, more blacks are finishing high school.
With ending of Affirmative Action – university figures of minorities have dropped 
To say they have not made much progress – refer to what you know about poverty/income/health for minorities
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