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ScotlandModern Studies

International Issues

4 dot points across 4 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

How does a world power such as the USA exert influence around the world?

The international influence of a world power: how the USA uses military, economic, political and cultural power to influence other countries and global affairs.
The international influence of the USA for SQA National 5 Modern Studies (world power option): how the USA uses military strength, economic power, political leadership in bodies such as the UN and NATO, and cultural influence to shape global affairs, with worked exam answers.
12 min answer →

How is the political system of the USA, a major world power, organised, and how do its citizens take part?

The political system of the USA: the Constitution, the separation of powers between the President, Congress and Supreme Court, the two main parties, and how citizens participate.
The political system of the USA for SQA National 5 Modern Studies (world power option): the Constitution and separation of powers between the President, Congress and Supreme Court, the federal system, the two main parties, elections and how citizens participate, with worked exam answers.
12 min answer →

What socio-economic issues affect groups in the USA, and how does the government respond?

Socio-economic issues in the USA: inequalities in wealth and income, health, education, employment, housing and crime affecting different groups, and government responses to them.
Socio-economic issues in the USA for SQA National 5 Modern Studies (world power option): inequalities in wealth and income, health, education, employment and housing affecting different groups, the causes and effects, and government responses such as welfare and healthcare reform, with worked exam answers.
13 min answer →

What causes a major world issue, what are its effects, and how does the international community respond?

A world issue: the causes and effects of a significant international problem (such as a conflict or a development issue) and the responses of countries, international organisations and NGOs.
Studying a world issue for SQA National 5 Modern Studies (world issue option): how to analyse the causes and effects of a significant international problem such as a conflict or development issue, and the responses of governments, the UN, NATO and NGOs, with how to judge their effectiveness and worked exam answers.
12 min answer →