Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and problems for Social sciences

What is the Role of the European Council?

The European Council is composed of the Heads of Government of each member state of the European Union, the President of the European Commission, and the High Representative for Foreign Affairs & Security Policy.

The European Council is in charge of designating the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

After the European Parliament elections, the European Council proposes a candidate for the post of President of the European Commission. When deciding on their nominee, the European Council considers the outcome of the European Parliament elections.

The choice of the candidate requires a qualified majority.

The European Council can also choose to end the High Representative'... Continue reading "European Council: Role, Organization, and Leadership" »

A

• Agreement: A mutual understanding between people.
• Amend: To change or improve something.
• Analyze: To separate something into parts and examine them.
• Approach: To come closer or near.
• Argument: A strong disagreement.

B

• Banish: To make someone leave a place.

C

• Campaign: A series of actions toward a goal.
• Characteristic: A specific feature.
• Citizen: A person who is a member of a country.
• Compare: To look at how things are alike.
• Complaint: To tell others that you are unhappy.
• Conflict: A fight between two or more people or groups.
• Connection: Things in common.
• Culture: A set of beliefs and customs.

D

• Damage: Harm that is done.
• Debate: To discuss different views.
• Delegate: A person who has power to speak for others.
• Democracy: The power to vote for what people believe

Understanding Earth's Shape and Planetary Motion

Evidence for Earth's Spherical Form

For centuries, humanity has sought to understand the true shape of our planet. Here's compelling evidence supporting Earth's near-spherical form:

• Lunar Eclipses: During a lunar eclipse, Earth's shadow cast upon the Moon consistently appears circular. This observation strongly suggests that Earth is either a sphere or a circular disc. The latter is highly improbable, as no traveler has ever found an "edge" to our world.
• Eratosthenes' Observations: The ancient Greek scholar Eratosthenes provided early evidence of Earth's curvature. His observations of the varying length of shadows cast by sticks in different locations at the same time of day demonstrated that Earth'

The ability of a firm to produce good performance depends on the strategy of an organization. The strategy of an organization, in turn, depends on the environment and culture of an organization. The environment is the sum name of all those factors and forces which not only surround an organization but also affect the way it works and its performance (external factors outside the organization and internal factors within the organization). Culture is the way an organization and its people work. Usually known as organizational culture, it includes:

• Values: Easy to identify, they are explicit, and used to be different from formal statements.
• Beliefs: Specific, discerned in how people talk about issues the organization faces.
• Behaviors: Day-to-day

PODCASTS

BALANCE SCORECARD

Organizational Structures

Decentralized Organizations

Flat Structure: Highly flexible, with close proximity to the director.

Multi-Local: Products are adapted to the specific needs of each market.

Transnational: The same product is offered in every market.

Centralized Organizations

Tall Structure: Characterized by control and rigidity.

Matrix Structure

Designed to avoid duplication and promote knowledge and experience sharing.

Federal Organizational Model

Authority flows from the periphery to the center.

Other Key Concepts

Innovation: Can be fostered by various organizational structures.

Standardization Skills: Crucial for professional organizations.

Divisional Structure: Products are marketed within the company.

Departments: Enhance efficiency.

Improved Hierarchy:

Consequences of the Industrial Revolution

The Industrial Revolution brought about profound changes. Key consequences included:

• International Relevance

  The international standing of countries began to be measured by their level of industrialization.

• Economic Activities

  Economic activities like agriculture, commerce, and the financial system received an impulse with the introduction of new technology.

• Urban Expansion

  Factories were situated in towns, leading people to emigrate from rural areas to look for work, causing significant urban growth.

• Science and Technological Research

  Increased focus on scientific and technological research aimed at finding new methods, techniques, and materials.

Key industries included the exploitation of mineral resources,... Continue reading "Social and Economic Changes from Industrialization" »

The English dominance the future in Latin America

In this article let's talk about the English dominance in the future of Latin America. Although most countries in Latin America speak Spanish, English has become the second most important language around the world. The United States, being one of the most influential countries, has made English dominant. This is why this topic has been selected, as there may be more native speakers of Portuguese, Spanish, Quechua, or French, but it is English they speak when they talk across cultures, and English they teach their children to help them become citizens of an ever more advanced world.

In the time of globalization and technology, English dominates the world as no language ever has, and some linguists... Continue reading "The Future of English Dominance in Latin America" »

Organization of the Council of the European Union

The Presidency

The Council is chaired by a Presidency that is held by each of the member states in turn for a period of six months. Thus, ministers, or the Head of Government or State, chair the Council meetings or summit for this six-month period.

The Troika and the High Representative

The term ‘Troika’ is used in conjunction with the Council to describe the situation in which, to provide continuity in policy, the current President and both the previous and succeeding Presidents act in conjunction, particularly in the pursuit of international relations.

The Lisbon Treaty provides that the Foreign Affairs Council is chaired by the High Representative.

COREPER: Committee of Permanent Representatives

COREPER... Continue reading "EU Council Organization: Presidency, COREPER, and Secretariat Roles" »

Richard Hoggart's Insider View

Richard Hoggart, unlike F.R. and Q.D. Leavis, was raised in a working-class family in Leeds. This background allowed him to offer an 'insider view' of communal working-class urban life, consciousness, culture, and experience.

Hoggart's Approach to Popular Culture

Just as the Leavises applied methods of close reading to mass culture, Hoggart offered close readings of popular music, newspapers, magazines, and fiction. Crucially, he did so without necessarily condemning them. In fact, he argued that working-class life could be 'a full rich life', a sentiment reflected in the title of one of his chapters.

Cultural Theory: Diverse Perspectives

The Anthropological View of Culture

When discussing T.S. Eliot, it was noted that... Continue reading "Richard Hoggart: Working-Class Culture & Media Analysis" »