International Comparisons- Equality and Prosperity

http://www.nytimes.com/imagepages/2011/02/19/opinion/19blowcht.html?ref=opinion
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/19/opinion/19blow.html?_r=2&scp=3&sq=american%20shame&st=cse&#

Part I:
1) Which country experienced greater income inequality? a)Canada, b)Czech Republic, c)Japan, d) United States
2) Of all the countries listed, which experienced the least income inequality?
3) On a scale of 1-10, what level of democracy did the United States achieve?
4) Which country scored the highest in this category?
5) Which country scored the lowest in this category?
6) What is food insecurity?
7) Which three countries reported the highest rates of food insecurity?
8) How did the United States compare to the other countries listed with regard to life expectancy?
9) Overall, how did the United States compare to the other "advanced economies" in the world?

Part II:
http://www.ifitweremyhome.com/compare/listing
Compare the following countries to the United States:

Canada:
10)If you lived in Canada, you would spend ______________ less on health care than in the U.S.
11)You would have___________ less chance of dying in infancy than in the U.S.
12)You would live ___________ longer than in the U.S.
13)Have _______ free time than in the U.S.

China:
14)If you lived in China, you would spend ______________ less on health care than in the U.S.
15)You would have___________ greater chance of dying in infancy than in the U.S.
16)You would live ___________ less than in the U.S.

Cuba:
17)If you lived in Cuba, you would spend ______________ less on health care than in the U.S.
18)You would have___________ less chance of dying in infancy than in the U.S.
19)You would live ___________ less than in the U.S.
20)Have _______ free time than in the U.S.

Sweden:
21)If you lived in Sweden, you would spend ______________ less on health care than in the U.S.
22)You would have___________ less chance of dying in infancy than in the U.S.
23)You would live ___________ longer than in the U.S.

Japan:
24)Have ___________ less chance of dying in infancy than in the U.S.
25)Spend ____________ less on health care than in the U.S.
26)Live ____________ years longer than in the U.S.
27)Have _________ free time than in the U.S.

Somalia:
28)Have a ________________ higher chance of dying in infancy than in the U.S.
29)Make ____________ less money than in the U.S.
30)Live ________ less than in the United States.


Part III:
31) "Free Market Economy" is another name for what type of economy?
32) What percentage of Americans think they are better off in a free market economy?
33) After studying the first chart, would you say Americans have a realistic view of their well-being with regard to the other advanced economies in the world?
34) After studying the first chart and examining how the U.S. compares with countries following other economic systems (communism and socialism), how would you rate our well-being?



Part IV:

The phrase “service economy” — commonly used to describe the U.S. economic profile these days — refers to a decrease in manufacturing (where we make things for people) and an increase in the service sector (where we do stuff for people).

Planet Money put together stacked bar graphs to illustrate the increasing importance of service in our economy (1972 on the left, 2012 on the right).  Manufacturing (making things) is in yellow, so you can clearly see its decline in prominence.  Service sectors include “professional and business services,” “leisure and hospitality,” and “education and health services.”

2012:


35) List two examples of "primary" jobs from the graph.
36) List two examples of "secondary" jobs from the graph.
37) List two examples of "tertiary" jobs from the graph.
38) According to the graph, are most American jobs primary, secondary, or tertiary?


1972 (You don't have to answer any questions about this graph)


Finished? Look and see how Wisconsin compares to other states:
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2011/03/06/weekinreview/20110306-happiness.html?ref=multimedia