Life in the United States is much the same as in many other developed nations, with a high GDP per capita and a technologically advanced culture. Most major issues concern the economy, health, and politics. However, it should not be asserted that life in the U.S. is by any means perfect, nor that Americans themselves uniformly consider their country to be the best in any sphere of life. Like any society, there are a plethora of issues facing Americans on which they do not agree. Therefore, this article gives only a very general overview of life in America. This article very generally discusses the customs and culture of the United States; for the culture of the United States, see arts and entertainment in the United States. ... The Federal Government of the United States was established by the United States Constitution. ... This article discusses the culture of the United States; for customs and way of life, see Culture of the United States. ... Holidays of the United States vary with local observance. ... The American Bill of Rights, enacted in 1791, provides a list of basic guaranteed rights, but these are subject to judicial interpretation thats usually based more on politics than jurism. ... The United States has created one of the most impressive economies in history, though in a different way than many other developed countries. ... The social structure of the United States of America, in the technical language of social science, is characterized by moderate social mobility. ... The standard of living in the United States is one of the highest in the world by almost any measure. ... Per capita is a Latin phrase meaning for each head. ... This article very generally discusses the customs and culture of the United States; for the culture of the United States, see arts and entertainment in the United States. ... The Federal Government of the United States was established by the United States Constitution. ...

Culture

The culture of the United States centers around a complex mixture of Christian morals, liberalism, pluralism, democracy, and patriotism (or nationalism). Most Americans feel that freedom of speech includes anything one wishes to say short of saying "Fire!" in a crowded building when there isn't one. However, that same nature of freedom creates issues in American society. For instance, although 75% of Americans believe in angels, the government is bound to protect the rights of atheists. However, Americans follow a large number of beliefs (see Religion). American society is, compared with its European brethren, largely conservative. Opposite to their cousins overseas, Americans, for example, generally shun nudity, but accept violence (in movies and video games). Also, patriotism (or nationalism) is a prevailing, and probably the most uniform influence in the country. Independence Day (July 4) is one of the largest holidays (anti-British sentiment has long since died out, however) involving massive celebrations throughout the country of parades, fireworks, and festivals. This article very generally discusses the customs and culture of the United States; for the culture of the United States, see arts and entertainment in the United States. ... The term Christian means belonging to Christ and is derived from the Greek noun Χριστός Khristós which means anointed one, which is itself a translation of the Hebrew word Moshiach (Hebrew: משיח, also written Messiah), (and in Arabic it is pronounced Maseeh مسيح). ... Liberalism is a political current embracing several historical and present-day ideologies that claim defense of individual liberty as the purpose of government. ... In the social sciences, pluralism is a framework of interaction in which groups show sufficient respect and tolerance of each other, that they fruitfully coexist and interact without conflict or assimilation. ... Patriotism is a feeling of love and devotion to ones own homeland (patria, the land of ones fathers). ... Nationalism is an ethno-political ideology that sustains the concept of a nation-identity for an exclusive group of people. ... A public demonstration Freedom of speech is the liberty to freely say what one pleases, as well as the related liberty to hear what others have stated. ... For information about the band, see Atheist (band). ... These fireworks over the Washington Monument are typical of Fourth of July celebrations This page is about the American holiday. ... July 4 is the 185th day of the year (186th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 180 days remaining. ... United States Marines on parade. ... A fireworks event (fireworks display, fireworks show) is a spectacular display of the effects produced by firework devices on various occasions. ... A festival or fest is an event, usually staged by a local community, which centers on some theme, sometimes on some unique aspect of the community. ...

Politics

Politics in the United States is split largely among two main political parties: the Republican party and the Democratic party. The Republicans are a conservative right-wing party and the Democrats are a more liberal, left-wing party. While most Americans tend to favor one side or the other, they are not uniform in their beliefs. America is divided up into 50 administrative units called states which have considerable control over their own laws and issues. For instance, the educational curriculum (see below) is different in each state and is legislated there by separate laws. However, items such as marriages and driver's licenses are valid in every state although they are regulated by the individual state's laws. The federal government of the United States is separated into three distinct branches: the Judiciary, the Legislature, and the Executive Branch. Each operates separately, and each, through constitutional means exercises checks on the other two. The Judiciary is the system of courts throughout the country, with the U.S. Supreme Court at its top with 9 justices. This court has the additional function of deciding the constitutionality of various laws and issues, known as judicial review. The Legislature is made up of a bicameral Congress containing a Senate with 2 senators from each state and a House of Representatives whose membership is based on each state's population. The Executive branch is headed by a President whose job is to enforce the laws and serve as commander-in-chief of the armed forces. The current president is George W. Bush. The President is elected under an electoral college by the people every 4 years and may serve two terms. The Federal Government of the United States was established by the United States Constitution. ... The Republican Party, often called the GOP (for Grand Old Party, although one early citation described it as the Gallant Old Party) [1], is one of the two major political parties in the United States. ... The Democratic Party is one of the two major political parties in the United States. ... A U.S. state is any one of the 50 states (four of which officially favor the term commonwealth) which, together with the District of Columbia, form the United States of America. ... ... The Supreme Court Building, Washington, D.C. The Supreme Court Building, Washington, D.C., (large image) The Supreme Court of the United States, located in Washington, D.C., is the highest court (see supreme court) in the United States; that is, it has ultimate judicial authority within the United States... Judicial review is the power of a court to review a law or an official act of a government employee or agent; for example, although the basis is different in different countries, as unconstitutional or violating of basic principles of justice. ... Seal of the Congress. ... The United States Senate is the upper house of the U.S. Congress, smaller than the United States House of Representatives. ... The House of Representatives is the larger of two houses that make up the U.S. Congress, the other being the United States Senate. ... Seal of the President of the United States The President of the United States is the head of state of the United States. ... George Walker Bush (born July 6, 1946) is an American politician and the 43rd and current president of the United States. ... An electoral college is a set of electors who are empowered as a deliberative body to elect someone to a particular office. ...

Customs

Arts and Entertainment

Holidays

See also

• Life in the European Union

Culture Main article: Culture of the European Union Cultural cooperation in the European Union has become a community competency since its inclusion in 1992 in the Maastricht Treaty. ...

External links