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

The Constitution

• It is the highest law, the foundational document where all rules are defined.
• It defines the state, the rights, and the obligations of people.
• It limits the power of institutions.
• In a democracy, citizens participate by voting for electors or in a referendum.

Forms of Government

Referendum: Is a legal process in which laws are put under popular vote for ratification. This may result in the adoption of a new law or the renovation of an existing one.

Dictatorship: The absolute power of the state is concentrated in one person or group, such as an army, an ethnic group, a religious leader, or a political party.

Dictators often use violence to gain power, frequently through a revolution.

Characteristics of Dictatorship:

• No citizen participation
• No

William Blake — Songs of Innocence

Songs of Innocence, written in 1788, shows Blake's effort to take his poetry beyond words on a page; he felt the poems needed to be illustrated to create his desired effect. It was a sign of his increasing awareness of the social injustices of his time, which led to the completion of his Songs of Experience in 1794.

Social and Political Influences

One of Blake’s main influences was the society in which he lived. He lived during revolutionary times and witnessed the downfall of London during Britain’s war with republican France. His disgust with society grew as he matured, and The Songs of Innocence and Experience depict this transition. As well as having radical religious ideas for the time — he did not... Continue reading "William Blake: Songs of Innocence — Themes & Social Critique" »

Rydgren: Uncivicness and Populist Voting

Neither mass society nor social capital theories explain support for radical right-wing populism in Eastern Europe (EE). Despite EE's historically weaker social capital compared to Western Europe, empirical results don't link rising populism to weak civil society.

Factors Fostering Extreme Right Movements

1. Diminished roles of family, community, and traditional organizations lead to detachment.
2. Decline of the pluralist society.
3. Social isolation leads to joining authoritarian movements offering 'quasi-communities'.

Social isolation, more common in urban settings, explains support for the radical right.

Varga: Hungary's Far-Right Jobbik

This reading examines post-communist far-right parties, focusing on Jobbik's... Continue reading "Right-Wing Populism in Eastern Europe: Social Capital & Jobbik" »

Franz and the Last Lesson

Franz's Expectations and Regrets

Q. What was Franz expected to be prepared with for school that day?

Franz was expected to be prepared with his lesson on participles, as announced by his French teacher, M. Hamel. However, Franz hadn't studied them.

Q. Why did Franz want to spend his day out of doors?

Franz was tempted by the beautiful weather and the allure of nature, contrasting with the confinement of the classroom.

Q. Why did Franz repent?

Franz repented because he realized the value of education and the importance of his native language, which he had taken for granted.

M. Hamel's Perspective

Q. What are M. Hamel's views about the French language?

M. Hamel cherished the French language, considering it the most beautiful language... Continue reading "Understanding "The Last Lesson": A Q&A Exploration" »

Sabino Arana and the Birth of Basque Nationalism

This foundational text on nationalist ideas was likely penned by Sabino Arana, or by someone equally audacious. It was published in 1894, during the Spanish Restoration period, and stands as a primary source document, intended for all citizens.

Context: Spain in 1894

Political Landscape & Colonial Issues

Politically, the period was marked by the nascent problems with Spain's colonies. As part of the Restoration era, the political system had already seen several shifts in power. Spain's international relations were largely defined by its colonial empire.

Economic Stagnation & Industrial Growth

Economically, Spain remained largely agricultural, characterized by backwardness due to the persistence... Continue reading "Sabino Arana and Basque Nationalism's Dawn" »

Introduction to the 1896 Labor Document

This text details the concerns and protests of workers against mandatory barracks living and canteen purchases. While the author is not explicitly named, it is widely attributed to a leader of the socialist party, UGT. Written in 1896, this document is considered a primary source of significant historical importance.

Historical Context of Late 19th Century Spain

At the time of this document's creation, Spain was undergoing a period of Restoration. Economically, agriculture held significant importance, contributing to a degree of national backwardness due to adherence to traditional practices. Concurrently, the nation was beginning its process of industrialization.

Economic Legislation and Worker Associations

Regarding... Continue reading "Workers' Rights and Labor Protests in 1896 Spain" »

Geopolitics: Space and State Organization

Geopolitics studies how society is organized in relation to geographic space. It focuses on how states exercise their sovereignty, their relations with other states, and their interactions with supranational organizations.

The State's Right to Power

The fundamental powers of the state include:

• Establishing and ensuring compliance with laws.
• Protecting the territory.
• Collecting taxes.
• Regulating public services and infrastructures.
• Running and regulating the economy.
• Establishing international relations with other states.

Types of State Governance

Democratic Systems

• Constitutional Monarchy: The highest authority is the King or Queen, usually hereditary. The monarch's power is limited by the constitution, and they

African American Writing and Pluralism

Sacvan Bercovitch’s The Cambridge History of American Literature: American literature is described as fundamentally pluralistic. He characterizes his volume as "a federated history of American literatures."

African Americans After the Civil War

Abolition of slavery did not end racial discrimination. African Americans continued to face inferior status and white supremacy.

In the South

Jim Crow laws, the doctrine of "separate but equal," and violent organizations such as the Ku Klux Klan enforced racial segregation and oppression.

In the North

Segregation and social exclusion produced ghettos and economic marginalization. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP, founded 1909) worked... Continue reading "African American Literature: History, Movements and Key Works" »

Categories of Countries Receiving Special Attention

• Least Developed Countries (47 countries)
• Landlocked Developing Countries (32 countries)
• Small Island Developing States

Commissions

• Trade and Development Commission
• Investment, Enterprise and Development Commission
• Commission on Science and Technology for Development (CSTD)

The International Labor Organization (ILO)

The ILO is devoted to promoting social justice and internationally recognized human and labor rights. It was established in 1919 and became the first specialized agency of the United Nations in 1946. It has 187 members.

Key Issues

• Youth employment
• Social protection
• Decent work and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

Strategic Objectives

• Promote and realize standards and rights at work.

Clara Campoamor and Women's Suffrage in 1931

This text is a transcription concerning the right of women to vote and their inclusion in the new Spanish Constitution. Its author is Clara Campoamor, a lawyer and member of the Partido Republicano Radical (Radical Republican Party). It was written on September 1, 1931, during the constitutional process of the Second Spanish Republic.

The Second Republic: Constitutional Context

The 1931 elections resulted in a preference for the Republic over the Monarchy, leading King Alfonso XIII to permit the formation of a Republican government. A provisional government was constituted, presided over by Niceto Alcalá-Zamora. This government called for general elections and began drafting a new constitution.

The... Continue reading "Clara Campoamor: Winning Women's Suffrage in Spain 1931" »