We're Number 1
*The OECD, or the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, was founded in 1948 and is made up of 36 member countries. It seeks to improve the economic and social well-being of countries and their populations. The OECD looks at issues that impact people’s everyday lives and proposes policies that can help to improve the quality of life.
Critical Analysis
According to the data from the chart above, what was the poverty rate in the U.S. in 2016?
According to the data from the chart above, how does the poverty rate in the U.S. Compare with other OECD* (wealthy) countries?
Based on what you know about American history, politics, and political ideology, why do you think America’s poverty rate is the highest of the wealthy world?
Describe one method the U.S. president can use to make policy about poverty and one method the U.S. Congress can use to make policy about poverty.
Imagine that you were an interest group whose goal was to lower poverty. Describe two methods you might use to try to achieve your goals.
The Pew Research Center has found that among Americans in families making less than $10,000 (the lowest income group they studied), 24.5 percent voted. We also know that voting rates go up with income levels — the highest-income group, people in families making $150,000 or more, also had the highest turnout, at 56.6 percent. Why do you think increased income leads to increased voter turnout?*
The Preamble of the United States Constitution states, “We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence (their spelling not mine!), promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.” Based on the poverty statistics above, does our government succeed at promoting the general welfare?
If you could wave a magic wand and make the U.S. poverty rate (17.8% of all people) similar to that of Finland (5.8%), what would be a consequence of this change?
A student named Ichabod, upon analyzing the data from the chart above said, “America is the land of opportunity. If you are poor in America it’s your own darned fault.” Respond to Ichabod’s claim.
What claim would the following people make about the American poverty rate?
Typical American Conservative
Typical American Liberal
Typical American Libertarian
Typical American Socialist
Felicity Huffman
Typical American Democrat
Typical American Republican
The Current American President
Learning Extension
Check out all this cool Pew Research Center visual data on U.S. poverty and politics.
Action Extension
Ask three other people (in person) to predict how American poverty compares with the rich world. Then share the answer with them. Share their reaction on line or in class.
Visual Extension*
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