Renick CWI study guide

describe how the permanent members on the Security Council differ from the temporary members

All 5 permanent members (US, Russia, GB, China, France) have to agree with the course of action. One of the 5 permanent members can veto any action by the Security Council

describe how a resolution passes in the General Assembly

All members of the UN are represented in the General Assembly and when a vote is taken it needs 2/3rds majority for passing resolutions

America's position as it is related to imports and exports, including trading partners:

America is the world's largest importer, and the world's second-largest exporter. We export a lot of high-tech stuff like pharmaceuticals and aircraft things. Our biggest trading partner is Canada even though we trade with China a lot as well.

explain how a country can become a member of the UN

By a decision of the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the Security Council

discusses and makes decisions on issues of international peace and security

General Assembly

World Bank

Goal is to reduce poverty by offering technical and financial support

comprises of a secretary general and is the body that runs the UN

Secretariat

given the primary task by the United Nations of maintaining peace and security at an international level

Security Council

WHO

World Health Organization- to ensure everyone is in good health, solve health problems, and provide health education

WTO

World Trade Organization- the goals is to ensure that trade flows as smoothly and freely as possible

total of something

aggregate

If the money ratio changes and you get more of another country's goods/currency. More powerful American dollar

appreciation

A prejudice or learning that may aim to influence judgements in an unfair manner

bias

leaving one side out and ignoring facts that disprove an argument

bias by omission

location; position of story where points of view acknowledged

bias by placement

including sources that only support one view

bias by selection of sources

how the reporter uses their tone to make their side look better and degrading the other side

bias by spin

highlighting news stories that agree with one side while ignoring stories of the other

bias by story selection

giving supporting sources undeserved authority; identifying people with opposing views using extreme labels while leaving your side unlabeled

bias labeling

the proportion of a loan that is charged as interest to the borrower, typically expressed as an annual percentage of the loan outstanding

interest rates

Uninfluenced by bias; based on facts

objective

A belief or personal judgement; not necessarily based in truth

opinion

The systematic use of mass media to influence the opinions and behaviors of the population

propaganda

the theory or practice of shielding a country's domestic industries from foreign competition by taxing imports

protectionism

Division of the economy where an industry or market that shares common operating characteristics

sector of the economy

Party position on Education:

liberal: vouchers should not be allowed conservative- vouchers should be allowed

Consequences of media bias (4):

- Inability for the public to make informed decisions on an issue - Not all sides included - Distrust of media - Citizens not caring what goes on

Why Study Contemporary World Issues?

1. Fully participate as citizens and make good and informed decisions 2. Increase understanding of what is going on in the world

3 Purposes of the UN:

1. Maintain international peace and security 2. Develop friendly relations among nations based on respect for the priciples of equal rights and self-determination of peoples 3. Cooperate in solving international economic, social, cultural, and humanitarian problems and in promoting respect for all human rights and fundamental freedoms

5 Principles of the UN:

1. Maintain international peace and security 2. Protect human rights 3. Deliver humanitarian aid 4. Promote sustainability and development 5. Uphold international law

Be able to describe the two political parties - Party name - Which is liberal or conservative - Color - Left/Right

Democrat (liberal)- blue, left; believe in government intervention to protect all people with the goal of achieving equality; believe role of government should be to make sure no one is in need; emphasize the need for government to solve problems Republican (conservative)- red, right; believe in limited government, personal responsibility, free markets, and individual liberty; role of government should be to provide freedom necessary for people to pursue their own goals; emphasize empowerment of the individual to solve problems

to promote and improve the economic and social well being of those living in the member states. They deal with human rights and seeks to develop a greater understanding of cultures throughout the world

Economic and social council

EU

European Union- mission is to build a common future for the people of Europe based on stable democratic governments

the effect of trade and reshuffling of jobs within the economy:

If people import less expensive items from other countries, it opens opportunity to create new jobs in industries that wouldn't have existed if people buy the more expensive items made in the US. For example, people will spend more money on leisure activities or going to restaurants. This is called reshuffling jobs. It could be good, but it could also be bad

IAEA

International Atomic Energy Association- works on developing nuclear energy

main judicial body of the UN

International Court of Justice

IMF

International Monetary Fund- encourage monetary cooperation, high employment rates, and economic growth

NATO

North Atlantic Treaty Organization- between Europe and North America; makes decisions about security issues and defensive issues to protect eachother

OAS

Organization of American States- focuses on common action, cooperation, and solving challenged between members peacefully

OPEC

Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries- coordinates the production of petroleum (oil) and provides member countries with technical and economic aid

What is perception and reality of mass media?

Perception- Media should simply present the "facts" for consideration by the viewer Reality- There is some level of bias in all media, sometimes there is intended bias, other times people are being single-mindedness on one point of view

identify the limitations or problems of the ICJ

The US and some other countries have not submitted to the jurisdiction of the ICJ

An agricultural product that can be bought or sold

commodities

A person has a ____________________ at producing something if he can produce it at lower cost than anyone else

comparative advantage

a policy used by governments and central banks of some of America's largest trading partners to artificially lower the value of their currency (in turn lowering the cost of their exports) to gain an unfair competitive advantage

currency manipulation

If the money ratio changes and you get less of another country's goods/currency. Less powerful American dollar

depreciation

Deterioration of the environment; destruction of ecosystems

environmental degradation

How much your currency is worth when you trade it for another country's currency

exchange rates

Something that happened and is based in truth, can be seen or known, and does exist

fact

Party position on Affirmative Action:

liberal: affirmative action law is necessary due to ongoing racism conservative- affirmative action is wrong because it is unfair to use race as a factor in the selection process

Party position on Religion and Government:

liberal: complete separation of church and state conservative- God should be allowed to be acknowledged in public schools

Party position on Death Penalty:

liberal: death penalty is wrong conservative- death penalty is ok depending on crime

Party position on Healthcare:

liberal: free or low cost healthcare conservative- health care should stay privatized

Party position on Global Warming:

liberal: global warming is caused by humans, and carbon dioxide emissions conservative- global warming is natural over time

Party position on Terrorism:

liberal: global warming not terrorism is the US biggest threat conservative- terrorism is the US biggest threat

Party position on Private Property:

liberal: government has the right to seize private property conservative- seizure of private property is wrong

Party position on Economy:

liberal: government should regulate the economy conservative- there should be a free market system

Party position on Taxes:

liberal: higher taxes for wealthy and larger government conservative- lower taxes and smaller government

Party position on Gun Control:

liberal: individuals do not need guns conservative- individuals have the right to defend themselves

Party position on Energy

liberal: other sources of energy should be explored conservative- oil, gas and coal are good sources of energy and are abundant

Party position on Immigration:

liberal: support legal immigration but all undocumented immigrants should still have the same rights as legal Americans conservative- support legal immigration only

Party position on Welfare (people relying on the government for money):

liberal: support long-term welfare conservative- oppose long-term welfare

Bias within mass media by the selection of events and stories that re reported and how they are covered

media bias