Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and exercises for Social sciences for Baccalaureate

The Historical Context of 19th-Century Basque Literature

The Carlist Wars in the 19th century, which culminated in the abolition of the fueros (charters), served as a catalyst for the Basque nationalist movement. During this period of political transition, the northern regions sought to establish new political organizations. This era also saw a significant focus on literature written in Bizkaiera, characterized by the Apologisten tradition and a defensive stance against external cultural pressures.

Literature in Bizkaiera

Writers of this period primarily focused on predikazio (preaching) and the preservation of the Basque language. These authors are generally divided into two regional groups:

• Eastern: The Markina-aldekoak group.
• Western: The Mendebaldekoak

Catalan Cultural Persistence and Identity

The persistence of Catalan identity (id. catalana) is characterized by:

• Use of Catalan texts written in everyday language, songs, etc.
• Maintenance of customs and traditions.
• A particularist consciousness within the Spanish monarchy.

The Renaixença (Cultural Revival)

This movement focused on promoting Catalan as a literary language (the "Cult").

• It began with Bonaventura Carles Aribau and Joaquim Rubió i Ors.
• It promoted the Floral Games (Jocs Florals).
• It aimed to recover archaic Catalan forms.
• It promoted the use of spoken Catalan in popular spheres (choral societies, newspapers, and popular theater).

Key Figures in Cultural Union Movements

Notable figures included Jacint Verdaguer and Àngel Guimerà.

Sources

Early Protests: The Bullangues Movement

The origins of Catalan nationalism as a political movement had antecedents in a series of popular protest movements against the new liberal state. This state was based on a centralized political, economic, administrative, legal, and military system designed to strengthen the state and foster economic development. The first signs of popular opposition movements were known as the "bullangues." These movements were directed against those considered responsible for this malaise (clergy, political authorities, etc.). The uprising in Barcelona in 1842 led to the formation of local and provincial government boards, which proposed political and social reform programs with a democratizing spirit while defending...

Liberalism

Importance

1. It ends with the Ancien Régime (AR).
2. It starts the Contemporary Era.

Contemporary Aspects

• Economic changes (Rise of Industrial Capitalism).
• Sociopolitical changes (Class Struggle, Emergence of liberal-bourgeois nationalism).

Philosophical-Political Theory

1. Base: Enlightenment thinkers (Montesquieu, Voltaire, Rousseau).
2. Principles: National sovereignty (with restricted suffrage), division of powers, rights and liberties, legal equality, but economic social inequality. These principles were enshrined in the Constitution of 1812.
3. Actions: Revolutionary waves of 1820, 1830, and 1848, and Pronunciamientos (military uprisings).

Economic Aspects

Theory: Laissez-faire economic theory, associated with Adam Smith's The Wealth of Nations.

Key

Public Administration as Legal Persons: Classification

Among all government administrations, two are particularly important:

• State Administration
• Administration of the Autonomous Communities

They hold greater significance because they possess an original legal personality derived directly from the Spanish Constitution (EC). The EC establishes their basic organization and framework of powers. These two legal entities possess superior status due to their critical political functions. Other administrations have lesser powers and importance.

Additionally, there are other authorities known as institutional administrations, referred to as public bodies under LOFAGE (Law on Organization and Functioning of the General State Administration), which include...

Oligarchy and Caciquismo: Political Commentary (1902)

Source Analysis and Nature of the Text

The text presented is a piece of political commentary titled Oligarchy and Caciquismo, dated 1902, placing it within the historical period of the Spanish Restoration. As it originates from the time period it describes, it is considered a primary source.

Key Concepts Defined

• Oligarchy: A form of government in which supreme power is held by a small group of people.
• Caciquismo: A system of local government characterized by a political leader (the cacique) who exercises total dominance over rural society, often expressed as political patronage.

Historical Context and Key Figures

These forms of government were prevalent in Spain during the Restoration period, particularly...

Components of Socioeconomic Development

• Progress: Movement and change of civilization, in social, political, and economic aspects, towards a more desirable and favorable state.
• Modernity: Massive social change that affects political, economic, administrative, family, and religious structures. It involves significant aspects of societal transformation.
• Social Well-being: A situation where people have enough to live in peace because most of their basic needs are met. Considered basic variables include education, employment, health, food, and security.
• Social Cohesion: Stability and social organization. Members of a cohesive group typically share proximity, similar behaviors, and skills. Members of a cohesive group participate in meetings, take responsibility,

1. Languages in Contact: Linguistic Diversity

Language is the primary communication tool used by a community and is considered a fundamental part of their culture. A dialect is a local or regional variety of a language that does not prevent communication between speakers. Languages that share a common origin belong to the same linguistic family.

Language Contact: Bilingualism and Diglossia

• Bilingualism: This phenomenon occurs in communities where speakers use two or more languages (plurilingualism). The most common case is the coexistence of two languages in the same territory. When two official languages hold equal social and cultural value, it is known as horizontal bilingualism.
• Diglossia: This term refers to the coexistence of two languages

Globalization and Economic Blocs

Globalization and economic blocs: Globalization and the global economy create a need for integration among states. Countries set trade agreements and regional economic blocs, forming with the purpose of negotiating better terms with other markets and expanding their economic space.

Major Economic Blocs in America

• 1) The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA): Formed by Mexico, the U.S., and Canada, creating a free trade area where customs duties were released between member countries in the trade of goods and services.
• 2) The Andean Integration System (SAI): Made up of Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia. It contributes to economic growth, promotes industrial development, encourages technological

1. The Land and the Social Issue (1902)

This circumstantial historical text is part of the work The Land and the Social Issue (1902), written by the regenerationist Joaquín Costa. Born in the province of Zaragoza to a modest farming family, Costa graduated in Philosophy and Law.

During the crisis of the Restoration system and the reign of Alfonso XIII, Costa—alongside Alba and Paraíso—created the National Union. This served as a third political alternative to the conservatives and liberals, organized in Zaragoza before the National League of Producers (1899), which was formed by dissatisfied Castilian farmers.

Following the disaster of '98 and the agrarian and textile crises, Costa denounced the distortion of democracy and proposed several...