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

Task A: Life Simplicity 100 Years Ago Versus Modern Societies

Life has undoubtedly changed over the past century. Whilst life 100 years ago might appear simpler, it lacked the advancements we enjoy today. On the one hand, people lived slower-paced lives, focusing on basic needs. What’s more, communities were closer, and individuals faced fewer distractions from technology. For this reason, many argue that life was less stressful and more fulfilling back then.

On the other hand, despite the simplicity of the past, it was filled with challenges such as limited medical care, shorter life expectancy, and fewer opportunities for education. In addition, modern societies offer conveniences like global communication, better healthcare, and improved... Continue reading "Societal Evolution: Comparing Past Simplicity with Modern Advantages" »

United Nations (UN)

The UN facilitates international cooperation in law, security, development, human rights, and peace.

UNESCO

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization: Focuses on education, science, and culture.

FAO

Food and Agriculture Organization: Leads efforts to combat hunger and improve nutrition.

ILO

International Labour Organization: Addresses labor issues and work relations.

UNICEF

United Nations International Children's Fund: Provides aid to children globally.

WHO

World Health Organization: Coordinates international public health initiatives.

IAEA

International Atomic Energy Agency: Promotes peaceful use of nuclear energy.

NATO

North Atlantic Treaty Organization: A military alliance for collective defense.

OPEC

Organization

Core Principles of Enlightenment Thinkers

John Locke believed in natural rights.

The idea that government power comes from the people is called the social contract.

Montesquieu supported the separation of powers to avoid the concentration of power.

A system with elected representatives is called republicanism.

A government ruled by a king with total power is known as an absolute monarchy.

The Enlightenment was a movement that promoted reason, science, and progress.

A revolution represents a major political or social change.

Key Terms and Definitions

• Revolution: A big political or social change.
• Enlightenment: A movement based on reason and science.
• Absolute Monarchy: When a king has total power.
• Social Contract: An agreement between the people and the

Major Causes of Poor Global Health (20 Marks Answer)

Introduction

Global health refers to the health status of people across the world and the efforts made to improve health conditions for all populations. Despite advancements in medicine and technology, poor global health remains a major challenge, especially in developing and underdeveloped countries. It is caused by a combination of economic, social, environmental, political, and lifestyle-related factors that affect individuals and communities in different ways.

Major Causes of Poor Global Health

• Poverty: Lack of income forces people to live in unhealthy conditions, unable to afford nutritious food, clean water, and proper healthcare, leading to widespread illness.
• Malnutrition: An insufficient

1. Notion of International Relations

International relations refer to the connections and interdependence between countries. Every nation depends on others in some way.

The state is the primary actor in international relations, with the main goal of protecting national interests.

Countries maintain relations with others based on their power:

• More power = more influence and relations.

States cannot solve problems alone. To satisfy economic, cultural, and other needs, they cooperate:

• Bilateral: Relations between two countries.
• Multilateral: Relations through organizations like the European Union or the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

2. Three Major Theories

A) Realism

Realism focuses on power, security, and national interest.... Continue reading "Understanding International Relations: Theories and Concepts" »

E1 P1: Stephen Lynch

• 1. C - To ask him for
• 2. B - Not the commercial
• 3. C - The audience
• 4. B - They write the music
• 5. C - The United Nations
• 6. A - He feels it

P2: Natural Phenomenon

• 1. E - I thought
• 2. H - I haven't
• 3. B - I was disappointed
• 4. G - I'm always excited
• 5. A - I was surprised

P3: Mass Tourism in Barcelona

• 1. A - Cheaper travel
• 2. B - The increase
• 3. A - It makes
• 4. C - Tourists find
• 5. B - Now realise
• 6. A - The violence
• 7. C - Cities will lose most

E2 P1: Privacy and the Viewing Platform

• 1. A - After looking
• 2. C - Is a part
• 3. D - Not being
• 4. B - Wasn't shown
• 5. A - Making it illegal
• 6. B - Representatives of
• 7. D - Make residents feel
• 8. A - Reducing the opening

P2: Dangers of Distracted Walking

• 1. D - A cost
• 2. D - Pedestrians sometimes
• 3. C - Fines people

Life and Academic Career of A. K. Ramanujan

A. K. Ramanujan (1929–1993) was one of the most important Indian poets, translators, and scholars of the twentieth century. Born in Mysore, India, he grew up in an intellectual family that combined scientific thinking with Hindu traditions—an influence that shaped both his literary and academic work. He studied English literature and linguistics at the University of Mysore before moving to the United States, where he spent most of his career teaching South Asian languages, folklore, and comparative literature at the University of Chicago.

Ideology of Cultural Plurality

Ramanujan's ideology was based on cultural diversity and plurality rather than on a specific political movement. He believed that... Continue reading "A. K. Ramanujan: Master of Indian Poetry and Translation" »

Definition and Purpose

Jizya is derived from the Arabic word "jaza," which means compensation or reward. It was primarily levied on dhimmis, who were non-Muslims (like Christians and Jews) living in an Islamic state. The tax served as a form of protection for these individuals, allowing them to practice their religion freely and providing them with security from military service, which was typically required of Muslim citizens.

Historical Context

The practice of Jizya dates back to the early Islamic period, with references found in Islamic texts, including the Quran and Hadith. It was implemented during the Caliphate and continued through various Islamic empires, such as the Umayyad, Abbasid, and Ottoman Empires. The tax was a significant aspect... Continue reading "The History and Legacy of Jizya Tax in Islamic States" »

The Pre-Gandhi Era of Indian Nationalism

Jawaharlal Nehru’s famous phrase, "And then Gandhi came," marks one of the most significant turning points in modern Indian history. Before Mahatma Gandhi’s arrival from South Africa in 1915, the Indian independence movement was largely a fragmented struggle led by the urban elite. The political atmosphere was thick with frustration; the moderates were confined to constitutional petitions that the British often ignored, while the extremists were increasingly driven toward isolated acts of defiance. The masses remained largely disconnected from the political discourse, feeling that the struggle for freedom was a pursuit for the educated and the wealthy rather than a fight for the common laborer or... Continue reading "How Mahatma Gandhi Transformed India's Struggle for Freedom" »

Analytic vs. Synthetic Languages

Modern English is a highly analytic language because it does not depend on inflections, but on the functions of words in a sentence. In contrast, Old English was a synthetic language because it expressed grammatical relationships through inflections and case endings. Nouns, adjectives, pronouns, and verbs took different forms according to their grammatical function. This represents one of the most important changes in terms of syntax.

The Role of Sanskrit in Linguistics

Sanskrit is an ancient Indian language whose texts date back to 1500 BCE, but it was discovered by Europeans in the 18th century. This discovery allowed scholars to identify similarities between Sanskrit, Greek, Latin, and Germanic languages. Sanskrit... Continue reading "Evolution of English and Indo-European Linguistics" »