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

Democracy

A type of government where power is held by the people.

Characteristics

• Freedom: People are free to:
  • Give their opinion
  • Practice their own religion
  • Speak the language they want
• Equality: One person equals one vote; all people are equal under the law.
• Political Participation: All people can take part in politics through voting or being a representative.
• Representation: Representatives (political parties) act on behalf of the people.
• Division of Power: Essential for democratic function.

Division of Power

Legislative Power

Controlled by the parliament (e.g., Eusko Legebiltzarra). Tasks include:

• Approving and drafting laws
• Imposing taxes
• Discussing political topics

Executive Power

Controlled by the government. Tasks include:

• Directing internal and external

EU Institutions and Key Concepts

Commission (Jean-Claude Juncker): Key issues include conferral, subsidiarity, and proportionality, as well as policy proposals (right of initiative). The right to propose new laws requires support from 25% of Member States, subject to the Court of Justice of the EU. White papers are used for public debate. The Spitzenkandidat process is also significant.

Regulation harmonizes data protection legislation.

Council of the European Union

The Council represents the governments of the Member States, comprising 28 national ministers. Decisions are often made by qualified majority voting (55% qualified majority), with at least four countries needed to block decisions. Some decisions require unanimity, reflecting state sovereignty.... Continue reading "EU Institutions, Policies, and Single Market Dynamics" »

SCHOOLS OF THOUGHT

How does democracy come about? What are the factors to be considered when defining democracy? // There are 3 approaches to democracy: Modernization Theory, Historical Sociology and Transitology. These approaches can be eclectic (they can take things one from another) and to some extent they follow a chronological order and coexist today. The birth of one school doesn’t mean the death of the one before. Modernization Theory: This theory believes there is a relationship between economic development and democracy. The question is: is one the cause of the other? Some authors believe the greater the development, the more probable a society will sustain a democracy. There are 2 approaches: One related to marxism // Another one... Continue reading "Approaches to Democracy: Modernization Theory and Capitalism" »

American Camelot: The Kennedy Years (1960-1963)

The New Frontier Vision

On the occasion of his nomination at the 1960 Democratic Convention in Los Angeles, JFK delivered his famous:

JFK's "New Frontier" Speech

“[…] I stand here tonight facing west on what was once the last frontier. From the lands that stretch three thousand miles behind us, the pioneers gave up their safety, their comfort and sometimes their lives to build our new West. […] Some would say that those struggles are all over, that all the horizons have been explored, that all the battles have been won, that there is no longer an American frontier. But I trust that no one in this assemblage would agree with that sentiment; for the problems are not all solved and the battles

Treaty of Wedmore (878-890)

The Treaty of Wedmore followed Alfred's victory at the Battle of Edington. After the battle, the Viking leader Guthrum was baptized and became Alfred's adopted son. While Asser's biography refers to the Peace of Wedmore, the original document does not survive. The treaty below, however, does survive and dates from this period, although a firm date cannot be established. This peace was ordained and confirmed with oaths by King Alfred, King Guthrum, the Witan of all the English nation, and all the people in East Anglia, for themselves and their descendants, both living and unborn, who seek God's mercy or ours.

Futhorc: Anglo-Saxon Runes

Anglo-Saxon runes are runes used by the early Anglo-Saxons as an alphabet in their... Continue reading "Wedmore Treaty, Futhorc Runes, Bayeux Tapestry, Tok Pisin" »

Middle English Literature [Fifth Slide]

Characteristics of Old English and the Norman Conquest

In conjunction with the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, the language use in the Middle English period also went through a vast change. While the ruling elite spoke strictly French because of their Norman heritage, English remained the language of the commoners.

"Why didn't the use of English fade throughout time?" you might ask. There are two distinct reasons for this:

• English was already too established among the Englishmen despite William's attempts to move in with French.
• The Normans began immediately intermarrying with the Englishmen, creating a huge impact on English vocabulary and grammar.

Grammar and Linguistic Shifts

The majority of the changes... Continue reading "Evolution of Middle English and Chaucer's Social Impact" »

The Creation of the USSR

In 1922, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics was created.

Political Organisation

The political organisation of the USSR put into practice Marxist ideas (communism) with the establishment of a proletariat dictatorship.

• Political power was held by the soviets, which had the power to make laws and choose the people who held executive power.
• The Communist Party of the Soviet Union (CPSU) was the only political party, representing the interests of the workers.

Economy

Lenin was forced to postpone the implementation of socialism due to food shortages caused by the civil war. The New Economic Policy (NEP) allowed some capitalist systems. Peasants could sell their produce, and small private artisan shops were set up. The state... Continue reading "The Creation and Art of the USSR" »

The European Union: A Historical Overview

Multidimensional Missions

Effective consent-based missions often include:

• Election monitoring
• Human rights training
• Police reform
• Mine clearing
• Security training
• Refugee resettlement
• Monetary reconstruction

Organizing Regionally

The European Union (EU), a centuries-old idea, was championed by Jean Monnet, one of its founders. Monnet believed that post-World War II economic integration could further undermine the weakened forces of nationalism. The EU's creation and development began as a functionalist idea, with some advocating for a more federalist approach. It can be viewed as a response to the pitfalls of the capitalist "race to the bottom."

Birth of the European Union

• 1951: European Coal and Steel Community:

- The 'world anthropologies' project wants to contribute to the articulation of a diversified anthropology that is more aware of the social, epistemological, and political conditions of its own production.

- The network has three main goals:

1. to examine critically the international dissemination of anthropology (whose work is funded and published and who's not) and the processes through which this dissemination takes place (who controls the publishing industry and which form of ethnography is recognized);
2. to contribute to the development of a plural landscape of anthropologies that is both less shaped by metropolitan hegemonies (academic English for example) and more open to the potential of globalization for a multiplicity of languages (the language

Women on Top in New Sales Industry Survey

Read the article and match each of these headings (a-h) to one of the paragraphs (1-8).

1. Motivation
2. Professionalism
3. TV
4. Personal qualities
5. Main finding of the survey
6. Why women make the best salespeople
7. What the survey asked
8. The woman who would make the best salesperson

Over Half of Business Owners Feeling Increasingly Stressed

Read the article and answer the following questions.

What is the difference between these groups of countries in terms of reasons for high-level stress?

1. China, Vietnam, Mexico, India, and Turkey (high growth is expected from these countries)
2. Ireland, Spain, and Greece (economy is shrinking in these countries)

According to Alex MacBeath, how do business leaders experience stress differently in