International IssuesPart EWorld Power: USA4_Political Issues, reform, impact

Think Carefully:Select the odd one out

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Learning Intentions:

We will explore the ideas that create the American style of government. We will understand how the American system of government works and examine why it is set up in the way that it is. We will discover why ideology is important.

We will discuss American Government and its founding principles. We will use diagrams to understand the flow of power. We will research, read articles and ask questions about the different ideas and political parties that shape America.

We will develop new analytical skills and learn to detect bias, exaggeration and arguments for and against different ideologies. We will have an appreciation that different democracies operate in different ways. We will develop our group work skills, individual communication and confidence.

CONTENT

PROCESS

BENEFIT

US Constitution

During the debates on the Constitution, its opponents argued that the Constitution as drafted would open the way to tyranny by the central government.

Fresh in their minds was the memory of the British abuse of civil rights before and during the Revolution.

They demanded a "bill of rights" that would protect individual citizens.

Bill of Rights

History of the USA - Mr Miller Productions

What was the purpose of the bill of rights?

So to sum up so far:In the 18th century the Americans won their independence from Britain in the War of Independence. The 13 original states then agreed to a new form of government – a federal state. This federal state would unite all the states, resulting in the name the United States of America.

The constitution is a set of rules that outlines how the government should be run and the bill of rights outlines what individual rights should be protected.

SystemThe Constitution outlined that power would be divided between the national (federal) government and individual states. The Constitution also defines the powers and duties of the three main branches of government.

The legislative branch – Congress

The executive branch – the president

The judicial branch – the Supreme Court

The separation of powers ensures that no one branch can become too powerful because all the power is distributed equally to all three branches. Each branch must agree with one another on an issue before a decision can be formally approved. It is a system of checks and balances.

Checks and BalancesNo single branch can force its will. BUT this can make it difficult to achieve an outcome or to reach decisions, and is quite different to what was originally intended.

Example: BUDGET CRISIS 2013-14

In October 2013 the conflict between Republicans and President Obama and his Democratic Party led to the partial shutdown of the US government for 16 days. Around 800,000 non-essential staff at federal agencies were sent home. The government was running out of money. Republicans created the crisis by trying to link their acceptance of the budget to Obama delaying his healthcare reforms for 1 year.

Obama refused, saying that Congress had passed his health reforms and he would not be blackmailed. A temporary settlement was reached.

Watch the following video clip and discuss it with the class. Skills to develop include listening, note taking and comprehension.

The American Form of Governmenthttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DioQooFIcgE

What did you learn about American Government from this video?

How can this help you to think of different perspectives?

PresidentHas a role in all three branches of

governmentCan suggest policy to CongressApprove policy that Congress

presents to himHead of ExecutiveCan appoint judges to the

Supreme CourtElected for terms of 4 years, can

only be elected twice

Why do you think the rules only allow Presidents to rule for 8 years?

Roles and powers of the President

Create a spider diagram, include detail and illustrations relevant to each element.

Chief Legislator: Propose legislation (ideas for new laws) Can veto (refuse to sign) a bill preventing the legislation

becoming law Congress can overturn this with a two thirds majority in

both the House of Representatives and Senate

Commander in chief of the armed forces Head of national security Commanding General of USA’s forces Can order the use of troops overseas and Congress

can declare war on another country

Chief Executive Runs the federal government Appoints people to federal government Upholds decisions made by Supreme Court

Head of State Chief public representative of the USA Meets other world leaders and negotiates treaties

with them

Daily Mail: Obama in his role as Head of State with Japan's Head of State Emperor Akhito

Obama 2015Achievements:◦ unemployment is lower than before the financial crisis; ◦ booming energy production; ◦ security of health coverage for more people; ◦ rebuilt economy on new foundation; ◦ creation of 11 million new jobs; ◦ reduced dependency on foreign oil;

Plan:◦ lowering taxes of working families; ◦ equal pay for men and women doing the same job; ◦ affordable child care as an economic priority;◦ laws to strengthen unions to give American workers a

voice; sick pay; higher minimum wage; upgrading people’s skills; “

◦ a bill to lower the cost of community college to zero” (two years of free college); reduce college loan debts, and so on…

Federal Government Made up of Congress – the collective term that refers to

the two legislative houses – The House of Representatives (the lower house) – the Senate (the upper house)

Makes laws for all people in the 50 states – currency, army, postal service, foreign relations.

State Government Has its own laws for certain issues. Executions Marriage laws – 14-21 Gun ownership Education

Rights and Responsibilities

Rights Responsibilities

Freedom of speech

VoteTo own a gun

Respect the rights, beliefs and opinions of others

Register and use your vote

Use responsibly

DemocracyThe USA prides itself on being a democracy. This means that people have the opportunity to participate in politics at all levels.

Americans vote for individual positions ranging from local officials right up to the President.

RepublicansThe Republican Party believes that ‘people can succeed through hard work, family support and self-discipline’. It is the party of big business. The party typically gains support from white-collar, professional workers; the Midwest and the South in the more rural and suburban areas; more middle and higher income earners; Protestants (especially evangelicals); whites; males; college-educated; those with conservative views including the religious right.

Draw and label a picture showing a typical Republican voter.

DemocratsThe Democrat Party ‘is committed to keeping [our] nation safe and expanding opportunity for every American’. Support is concentrated in coastal areas and major cities. The party typically gets its support from blue-collar manual workers; urban dwellers; Catholics; Jews; racial minority and poorer groups; women; those with liberal viewpoints.

Draw and label a picture showing a typical Democratic

voter.

What is participation? Voting in federal, state and county elections – For

President Obama in the 2012 election. Standing as a candidate for a political party – Such as the

Democratic Party Joining a political party and helping during election

campaigns – Such as the Republican Party Contacting their elected representatives, for example, by

telephone, letter or email – Such as Republican Shelley Moore Capito senator for West Virginia – first woman to represent this state.

Contributing to party funds Joining an interest group for example the National Rifle

Association (NRA) Taking part in a protest or demonstration

New York Times Article: About anti NRA protest in New Mexico

Citizens can participate in politics in many ways. Describe, in detail, the ways in which citizens from a world power you have studied can

participate in politics. 6KU

In one of the most remarked “firsts” of 2013, women, blacks, Hispanics and other ethnic minorities will for the first time in history make up a majority of the House Democrats seated this month.

By contrast, the percentage of non-white male Republican House members fell from 14 percent in 2010 to 12 percent in 2013, leading David Wasserman, congressional analyst, said that the two parties in the House are “living in parallel universes.”

Capitol Hill will have its first openly gay senator and its first Hindu House member, while New Hampshire voters made history by sending its first all-female delegation — two senators and two representatives — to Congress.A record 20 women — 16 Democrats and four Republicans — now hold Senate seats, while 28 Hispanics — 25 Democrats and three Republicans — will sit in the House.

1.Describe a significant change for the Democrat Party in 2013.2.Describe how the Republican Party is different.3.What other big changes has Congress seen to its representatives.

Ethnic Minorities and participationAll ethnic minorities are less likely to be involved in politics – whether as voters, campaigners or as candidates than white Americans.

Ethnic minorities are under-represented in political positions.

Policies of parties are often aimed at the white majority.

Today more Hispanics and African-Americans turn out to vote, but many still feel politics is irrelevant to their lives. Participation is higher where ethnic minority candidates have a better chance of winning.

2008 an increase in the number of young people and ethnic minorities voting… Why?

Describe in detail why some groups are more likely to participate in politics than others. 6

Describe in detail why some groups are more likely to participate in politics than others. 6

One reason why some groups are more likely to participate in politics than others is because of representation. Ethnic minorities are under-represented in political positions and are therefore less likely to vote. It was only in 2008 that Americans returned a Black President in Obama and therefor the number of ethnic minorities voting has increased.

Another reason why some groups are more likely to participate in politics than others is because of party policies. White people make up the majority of the population so political parties tend to tailor their policies to suit white people. This means that white people are more likely to vote, especially for the Republican Party.

And the final reason why some groups are more likely to participate in politics than others is because of lack of trust. Many ethnic minorities feel that politics is irrelevant to their lives and it doesn’t matter who wins an election. Participation is higher where minority candidates have a better chance of winning. So in 2013 when for the first time the Democratic party has returned a majority of non-white candidates we might see more ethnic minorities participating.

Who can US citizens vote for? They can vote in elections to the federal government. This controls national and international affairs. Congress – made up of 100 senators and 435 congressmen for the House of Representatives.

They can vote in state elections for state governors and representatives to the state assemblies.

At local level, they can vote in county elections for sheriffs, tax collectors, judges, district attorneys and even dog catchers.

Some have argued there are too many opportunities to vote and that is why electoral turnout is low. 2012

Presidential election 57% turnout.

The youth vote.In the UK people are included on the electoral register as soon as they turn 18.

However Americans must register themselves.

There have been numberous campaigns to increase registrations. The ‘Vote or Die’ and ‘Declare Yourself’ campaigns have been targeted at young people.

Number of US Embassies

Policies

American government is very active internationally. They aim to protect American interests and promote peace.

They have been involved in the Northern Ireland peace process, middle eastern peace process (Israel/Palestine), Afghanistan (war on terror), sanctions against Iran (to prevent them acquire nuclear weapon. This is to mention just a few.

What does this tell us about America’s political power?

1 to 10? (10 being confident 1 being not that confident)

1. How confident are you in your knowledge of the American Dream?

2. How confident are you in your knowledge of the American Government?