Attitudes towards the USA

Throughout the last couple of years, the attitudes towards the US have changed; it is not as positive as it used to be. There are several reasons for this. For instance, the attitudes towards the US in the Muslim world remain negative. However, some have different opinions and support the democracy.

Additionally, the view on the US pretty much got destroyed after Bush became president.  He started the war in Afghanistan because he wanted to achieve peace, but instead he made everything worse and the countries that were involved almost got entirely destroyed. After this most people changed their opinion about the US and today I believe many people have negative opinions about the US.

The picture symbolizes how the US is today. We see two children, one holding a kinder chocolate egg and the other one is holding a weapon. The picture says: “One child is holding something that’s been banned in America to protect them. Guess which one.”

Today, the kinder chocolate is banned because of the toys inside. They are afraid that the children could become choked by the toys because many children usually put toys in their mouths. The gun on the other hand is not illegal, and causes more than 12,000 deaths a year in the US. Everyone can get a hold of a license as well as a gun. Normal citizens keep military weapons on their property, and children aren’t allowed to eat kinder chocolate? This tells us a lot about the American attitude when it comes to weapons. Even though a weapon is far more dangerous than a toy, the toy gets banned and not the weapon.

Personally my opinions about the US are both positive and negative. I believe that the citizens are accommodating and outgoing unlike people in many other countries. I find Americans nicer and more welcoming than Norwegians actually, and I think that this is something we can learn for the Americans.  On the other hand, the difference between rich and poor are huge, and I do not like for example the medical system they have. This is something I believe should change as soon as possible not only because it will make the US emerge as a better country, but also to improve the citizens’ living conditions. 

Sources: 

Pewglobal.org, "Global opinions of Obama slips, International policies slips" http://www.pewglobal.org/2012/06/13/chapter-2-attitudes-toward-american-culture-and-ideas/ (downloaded: 13.05.13)

Pewglobal.org, "U.S. image up slightly, but still negative"

http://www.pewglobal.org/2005/06/23/us-image-up-slightly-but-still-negative/ (downloaded: 13.05.13)

England

England is the biggest country in the United Kingdom. The capitol city of England is London, which furthermore also is the capitol of the United Kingdom. London is the largest city in England and the population is approximately 53 million (2011).  
(wikepedia.org)

The main language is English, British English. The flag as we se on the picture above is represented by a red cross set on a white background. This cross is called the St. Geroge's Cross, and has represented England since the Middle Ages and the Crusades. 
(england.org)

Climate

England is warmer and sunnier than any of the other countries of the UK. There is most sunshine in the month of July, which is also the driest month. The cloudiest parts of England are in the northern and western areas, as well as the areas that consist of mountains.
(england.org)

Education system and school culture

In England children start primary school at the age of 5, and continue until they are 11. After primary school they continue to secondary school, which they attend to for 5 years. When they are graduated the education is optional since the education is no longer compulsory.

(Ndla.no)






Political system/government

  England is a part of the United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales and North Ireland). The political system is constitutional monarchy with an executive, legislative and judiciary power.

The Executive power consists of the government, also known as “Her Majesty’s Government of the United Kingdom”. The head of the government is the prime minister, David Cameron.

The UK parliament is the supreme legislative body in the United Kingdom. It consists of the House of Lords as well as the House of Commons. Those who sit in the House of Lords are, they are not chosen, they are appointed or hereditary. Those who sit in the House of Commons are however elected.

The judiciary power is UK’s highest court. UK does not have a common political system due that is consists of independent countries. Today the United Kingdom has three distinct systems of laws: English Law, Northern Ireland Law and Scottish Law. 
(Wikipedia.org)

 Important trade/industry

Some of England’s most common exported commodities are:

•        Manufactured goods
•        Fuel
•        Food
•        Tobacco

The US, France, Germany and Spain are some of England’s major export partners.

The most common imported products are:

•          Foodstuff
•          Machinery
•         Manufactured goods
•          Fuel

England major import partners are Norway, The US, China, France and Germany.

Today the major industries in England are banking and finance. Besides this iron and steel production, tourism etc. are also big industries. 

(economywatch.com)

Fun facts

·  The English gulp down more tea than anyone else on Earth. Even though Americans enjoy their tea also, the English use about 20 times more.

·  Newtown is the most popular name for a British town. Over 150 towns are named Newtown.

·  In England, in pubs or bars, you can have drinks but you are not allowed to get drunk    

(venere.com)

Personal experience

Last spring I was in London for a weekend. I visited famous places and buildings such as Big Ben, London Eye and Oxford Street. London is a city with so many sites to explore, and I really loved the city. The Englishmen were so polite, and the weather was much better than it was at home.

I want to visit other parts of England in the future, especially Oxford and Brighton. I want to visit Oxford because of the universities and Brighton because I want to experience England’s coastline.

Pictures to illustrate the country/region

London by night

London Eye

Big Ben

Oxford University 

Cotswold and the Cotswold Hills

Sources:

http://www.england.org.za/englands-climate.php#.UPZxxR0sDZF (downloaded: 16.01.13) England.org, "England's Climate"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/England (downloaded: 16.01.13) Wikipedia.org, "England"

http://www.england.org.za/englands-flag.php#.UPZ9ax0sDZE (downloaded: 16.01.13) England.org, "England's Flag"

http://ndla.no/en/node/6019 (downloaded: 16.01.13) Ndla.no, Hagen, Anne Scott, "UK-Education"

http://www.venere.com/blog/uk-fun-facts/ (downloaded: 16.01.13) Venere.com, Grace A, "19 Fun Facts about the UK"

http://www.economywatch.com/world_economy/england/export-import.html (downloaded: 20.01.13) economywatch.com, "England Trade, England Exports, England Imports" 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Politics_of_the_United_Kingdom (downloaded: 20.01.13) Wikepedia.org, "Politics of the United Kingdom"
http://no.wikipedia.org/wiki/Storbritannias_politiske_system (downloaded: 20.01.13) Wikepedia.org, "Storbritannias politiske system" 

Pictures:

http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2008/08/london_from_above_at_night.html (downloaded: 16.01.13)

http://www.bugbog.com/gallery/england_pictures/cotswolds-england.html (downloaded: 16.01.13)

http://www.jobsbump.com/2011/06/senior-commissioning-editor-jobs-oxford-university-press-uk/  (downloaded: 16.01.13) 

http://www.cntraveller.com/guides/europe/england/the-cotswolds/where-to-stay (downloaded: 16.01.13)