North America 2: Where We Stand
Theme 2: Increasing Gap Between Rich and Poor
I.
II.
III.
USA a Postindustrial Society (Economic Geography)
A. USA: population = 323,002,374 (2/15/16 @ 7:50 a.m.); urbanization = 75%
B. characteristics of a postindustrial society
1. economic sectors:
a. extractive (2%); manufacturing (18%); service (80%)
b. information: 65% today
2. change of technology use from fabricating to processing
C. locational forces
1. spatially footloose
2. non-economic factors influence
3. booming regions
a. Pacific coast
b. Sunbelt
4. census 2010
Where We Stand in the New World Order
A. 18 major industrial nations:
Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany,
Iceland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden,
Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States
B. major sources: UN, World Bank, International Monetary Fund, World Health
Organization
Health and medical care:
A. generally
B. specific stats
1. Medical Spending as % GDP (Kaiser Family Foundation 2008)
a. US #1= 16.0%
2. Medical Spending Per Capita (Kaiser Family Foundation 2008)
a. US #1= $7,538
3. Growth in Per Capita Health Expenditure 1970-2008 (Kaiser Family
Foundation 2008)
4. Total Health Expenditure/Capita Compared to GDP/Capita (Kaiser
Family Foundation 2008)
5. Health System Performance Index (WHO 2000)
a. US # 37 = 0.838
6. Male Life Expectancy (Population Reference Bureau 2013)
a. US = 76 years
b. geographic variation
7. Infant Mortality (Population Reference Bureau 2013)
a. best reflection of a nation’s healthcare system
b. US = 5.9/1,000 births
c. 2011 world rankings: U.S. #48
8. Premature Births (WHO 2012)
a. US = 12% births; 15 million/year
b. ≈ Kenya, Turkey, Thailand, East Timor, Honduras
North America 2: Where We Stand - p. 1
IV.
V.
VI.
VII.
Crime and Punishment
A. specific stats
1. Deaths Due to Firearms (Denver Post 4/95)
a. total firearm deaths
1) US = 35,563 (#1)
b. firearm homicides
1) US = 15,835 (#1)
c. 2008 update: 31,593 firearm deaths (Huffington Post 2011)
2. Rate of Incarceration/Prisoners per Capita (NYT 2013)
a. US = 751/100,000 people (#1)
3. Number of Prisoners – Top 8 Countries (NYT 2013)
a. US = 2,258,983 (#1)
4. executions 2013 (Guardian 2014)
a. China #1
b. US = 39 (#6)
Wealth
A. generally
B. specific stats
1. GNI PPP Per Capita (Population Reference Bureau 2013)
a. US = $50,610 (#4)
2. Children in Poverty (UNICEF 2014)
a. US = 32.2%
b. 2013 US poverty rate (family of 4 < $24,008) (US Census Bureau 2014)
1) 45.3 million = 14.5%
2) children in poverty = 14.7 million
3. Share of Income (PRB 2013)
a. US - greatest disparity
1) lowest 20% of population has 3% of income
2) top 20% has 51% of income
b. shrinking middle class – Occupy Wall Street
Spending
A. specific stats:
1. Defense spending
a. Defense Spending % of GDP (UN 2005)
1) US = 4.1%
2) US 2010 budget = 4.7%
3) US 2013 budget = 3.8%
b. Defense Spending as % of Central Government Expenditures (IMF 1992-2002)
1) US = 16% (#1)
2) US Defense Spending 2012 = 25%
2. Foreign aid
a. Development Aid % GNI (UN 2003)
1) US = 0.22%
Taxes
A. specific stats
1. Soaking the Rich
a. US top tax rate = 39.6% (incomes > $400,000)
b. “Buffet Rule”
North America 2: Where We Stand - p. 2
VIII.
IX.
c. gas taxes and fines
Working Conditions
A. specific stats:
1. Paid vacation days/year
a. US = 0
b. France = 30 (#1)
2. Length of Maternity Leave (OECD 2006)
a. USA -- Family and Medical Leave Act 1993
b. 180 countries - paid maternity leave mandated by law
3. Maternity Leave Wages (OECD 2006)
a. US mandated maternity wages = $0
4. Paternity Leave (BBC 2013)
Quality of Life
A. U.N. Human Development Index (2013)
1. measures social and economic progress
2. Norway #1
3. USA #3
B. Social Progress Index
1. Norway #1
2. USA #16
C. Happiness Quotient
1. King of Bhutan: Gross National Happiness (not GNP)
2. surveys: subjective well being = feeling good
D. World Happiness Report 2013 (Washington Post 2013)
1. Denmark #1
2. US #17
E. Proud to be… (Newsweek 2006)
1. US fertility v. other developed countries
2. proud to be…American 75%
North America 2: Where We Stand - p. 3