America in Close-up

The U.S. Constitution and America's Global Role

The U.S. Constitution established a system in which the people have the right to influence the direction of government.

As a global superpower, the United States exerts wide-reaching political, military, and economic influence. It has strong political and military ties to democratic governments in Western Europe. The U.S. plays an active role in Latin America.

Over 2 million men and women are members of the armed forces. About one fourth of the U.S. military personnel serve overseas. The U.S. operates military bases in strategic areas throughout the world. Most of its overseas forces are concentrated in Western Europe under provisions of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. NATO guarantees since 1949 the defense of member nations against Soviet attack.

While American military involvement has given European nations security against Soviet attack, it has also made them dependent, in many respects, on American foreign policy. Western leaders must rely on the

United States to negotiate settlements that serve Europe's security interests. American's political and military strength is generated by a powerful economy. The U.S. economy surpasses all other economies in overall production. Its economic is twice the Soviet Union's, three times Japan's and six times West Germany.

American's economic influence is also extended through foreign investment. American businesses and industries operate all over the world. Also contributing to American's economic power is the status of the dollar as the world's chief international currency. The dollar is used for most international trading. In Latin America and Eastern-Europe countries the dollar has become accepted as a second currency.

The U.S. exports more computer systems and electric machinery and invests more money in technological research than any other country. The America economy is bound to have a global economic influence. In the past years the U.S. was importing

more goods than it was exporting. While the U.S. trade deficit benefited foreign economies, it has created severe economic distress for the American economy. Many American business and labor groups have called for the U.S. to adopt a protectionist trade policy. Import restrictions would boost the sale of American goods and reduce the trade imbalance. On the other hand, foreign economies, depending on export sales to the United States, would suffer. The high volatility of the American dollar in recent years has created instabilities on worldwide trade markets. Because dollars are used for borrowing and lending, U.S. interest rates and dollar values are of particular concern to foreign debtor nations. Third World countries were severely affected by high interest rates charged in the early 1980s. Third World countries rely heavily on American investment. In developing countries, American firms play a dominant role. Firms can use their economic power to influence foreign governments into adopting

Policies that serve American political and economic interests. In industrial countries as well, the U.S. has often used its economic power to achieve its political aims. American's economic power is what ultimately underlies its political power and gives substance to foreign policy. American foreign policy has been guided by several principles.

First, American foreign policy serves a moral aim in promoting and protecting democratic systems and democratic values: "making the world safe for democracy".

Second, American foreign policy is committed to the practical principle of protecting American's political and economic interests.

Third, American foreign policy is directed toward maintaining the balance of international power. In the years between the First World War and the Second World War, American foreign policy developed from isolationism to interventionism.

The U.S. had become the leading industrialized nation. In 1917, the U.S. entered the war as an ally of France and...

Great Britain, breaking the long tradition of neutrality and diplomatic independence.

After the war ended, the U.S. tried to return to its policy of isolationism. When war broke out again in Europe in 1939, the U.S. declared its neutrality. Americans were divided on the issue of isolationism versus interventionism. The Japanese invasion of Peal Harbour settled the issue. America entered the war as an Allied power.

The Second World War brought the American economy to unprecedented levels of industrial production. Large-scale factories were constructed to produce war materials. After the Second World War the global balance of power became permanently altered and the role of the U.S. in world affairs changed dramatically.

With the defeat of Germany and Japan, a power vacuum was left in Europe and other in Asia. Only two great powers remained in the world – The United States and the Soviet Union.

The Soviet Union set up communist regimes in Eastern Europe, and the Chinese later began to spread.

communist influence throughout Asia. The U.S. helped restore democracy in Western Europe and Japan. To consolidate power, the United States and the Soviet Union established a military alliance. The U.S. and western democracies coordinated defense in the NATO Alliance.

The years following the Second World War, known as the cold war period, were characterized by mounting tensions between the U.S. and the Soviet Union. Both powers built up vast military defense arsenals which relied heavily on nuclear weapons.

During the cold war, American foreign policy focused on protecting democracy and containing the spread of communism. In 1947, the U.S. responded to communism pressures in Greece and Turkey by sending millions of dollars in military aid.

The U.S. began a massive four-year program of economic reconstruction known as the Marshall Plan. During the decades of the 50s and 60s, the U.S. frequently used military force to support pro-western governments which were being threatened by communist invasion. They sent

Troops were deployed to defend South Korea, Guatemala, Lebanon, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Grenada.

Cold war tensions were increased because of the arms race between the United States and the Soviet Union. In 1962 fears of nuclear confrontation reached a climax. The Soviets were beginning to install nuclear missiles in Cuba. President Kennedy imposed a blockade on Cuba and prepared for nuclear retaliation if the Soviets refused to dismantle the site. Soviet Premier Khrushchev agreed to remove the missiles in return for an American promise not to invade Cuba.

In Vietnam, a U.S. policy which began as an economic and military aid program gradually escalated into full-scale war. Under Presidents Truman and Eisenhower, the U.S. set aid to establish and maintain a pro-western democratic influence in Vietnam. Nixon increased bombing raids and sent American soldiers in Cambodia. In 1973, President Nixon ended up withdrawing American troops. In 1975, South Vietnam's resistance broke. In the case

power. This action was criticized by many countries, including the Soviet Union. In 1985, Sovietleader Mikhail Gorbachev came to power and initiated a policy of glasnost (openness) andperestroika (restructuring). This led to improved relations between the U.S. and the Soviet Union.In 1987, the U.S. and the Soviet Union signed the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty,which eliminated an entire class of nuclear weapons. This was a significant step towards disarmamentand reducing tensions between the two superpowers.In 1991, the Soviet Union collapsed and was replaced by the Russian Federation. The end of theCold War marked a major shift in international relations. The U.S. emerged as the sole superpowerand faced new challenges in the post-Cold War era, including conflicts in the Middle East and therise of non-state actors like terrorist organizations.The U.S. has continued to use force to achieve its foreign policy goals, including militaryinterventions in Iraq and Afghanistan. However, these actions have been controversial and havedrawn criticism from the international community. The U.S. has also pursued diplomatic efforts toresolve conflicts, such as the Iran nuclear deal and the normalization of relations with Cuba.In conclusion, the use of force has been a recurring theme in American foreign policy. While it hasachieved some successes, it has also faced significant challenges and criticism. The U.S. has alsorecognized the importance of diplomacy and cooperation in achieving its goals on the world stage.

power. Through CIA activities and military they fight against the communist government in Nicaragua. Reagan proposed the development of a new space-based defence, known as the Strategic Defence Initiative. This system would be able to shoot down Soviet missiles before they could reach the U.S. In 1985 the U.S. and the Soviet Union resumed arms control talks in Geneva. In 1987 Reagan and Gorbachev signed a tentative agreement.

The U.S. has become involved in Middle East conflicts for several reasons: they want to protect the world's oil supply – they want to maintain a friendly relationship with Israel – they want to limit the influence of the Soviet Union in the area. By supporting Israel, the U.S. may anger Arab oil producing states. They helped Israel and Egypt reach an historic peace agreement in 1979.

Because of its military and economic power, the U.S. has the potential to impose solutions by the use of force.

11. Education

Every American is entitled to an education.

Students attend school five to seven hours a day, five days a week for nine months each year, from September to June. Public education from kindergartner through grade 12 is tax-supported. Although 85 percent of American children attend public schools. The other 15 percent choose to pay tuition to attend private schools. Most private schools are run by religious organizations. In 1940 only 38 percent of those between the ages of 25 and 29 had received a high school diploma and only 6 percent had college degrees. In 1985, 86 percent of those surveyed said they had high schools diplomas and 22 percent said they had college degrees. High school students at the same grade level do not take the same courses. Students who do not plan to go to college may be enrolled in classes such as basic accounting, typing, or agricultural science. College-bound students may be enrolled in college-preparatory courses such as chemistry, political science, or advanced writing. Which courses a student takes depends on

his or her abilities and future goals. Some elementary schools offer computer and foreign language courses. There are also small arts colleges which grant degrees to students who concentrate in specialized fields such as ballet, film-making, and even circus performing.

Besides the diversified course offerings at all levels, variety also exists in schools' academic standards and reputations. High reputable colleges such as Harvard and Yale accept only students of exceptional ability.

There is no national education system in the U.S. In public schools, decisions are made by boards of education at the state and or district level. Spending for public education is also determined by state and local education leaders.

Although there is no national curriculum, certain subjects are generally taught in all public school systems across the country. Almost every elementary school instructs children in penmanship, science, mathematics, music, art, physical education, language arts, and social studies.

studies. Most secondary schools require students to take English, mathematics, science, social studies, and physical studies.