Civics 101 U.S. Territories
32 snips
Jul 25, 2017 Doug Mack, author of "The Not Quite States of America" and an expert on U.S. territories, dives into the unique status of places like Guam and Puerto Rico. He explains the political representation issues and constitutional rights of citizens in these territories. Mack also discusses the historical context of territorial expansion and the implications of lacking full statehood. Listeners learn about the distinct governance structures and the ongoing debates surrounding statehood, particularly in Puerto Rico.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Defining U.S. Territories
- A U.S. territory is similar to a state but lacks the same rights and autonomy.
- Territories have limited constitutional protections, cannot vote for president, and have non-voting representation in Congress.
The Five Territories
- Five main U.S. territories exist: Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands.
- Puerto Rico and the Northern Marianas are commonwealths, theoretically granting them more autonomy.
Citizenship in Territories
- Birthright citizenship applies in most territories, except American Samoa, where individuals are U.S. nationals.
- American Samoans have different rights and their passports reflect their national status.
