Notes, abstracts, papers, exams and problems of Social sciences

The Significance of Culture in Social Sciences

Social sciences are deeply intertwined with the study of culture. Here's a look at how different disciplines approach it:

Cultural Anthropology

Focuses on the origin of cultures, their evolution, development, and expressions, including music and language.

Sociology

Aims to scientifically understand the sociocultural reality of people, though sometimes struggles to fully grasp its nuances.

Social Psychology

Contextualizes and provides a framework for understanding how culture influences the formation of social and individual personalities.

History

Explains past societies and provides a sense of continuity to cultural changes and developments.

Economics

Examines how the economic organization of people is influenced... Continue reading "Understanding Culture's Role in Social Sciences" »

Cold War: Tension Between East and West

The Cold War was a period of tension between state powers and blocs in which each party adopted policies aimed at strengthening itself at the expense of its opponent. The Western Bloc was capitalist, while the Eastern Bloc was communist.

• Capitalist Politics (USA): Representation of democracy and freedom.
• Communist Politics (USSR): Representation of social justice and the solution to social problems.

Globalization: A New World Order

Globalization is a phenomenon of economic, social, political, and cultural interconnection generated by technological advances in communication and the global expansion of multinational corporations. It is a process of significant change and transformation of the organization of... Continue reading "Cold War Tensions and the Rise of Globalization" »

**ICT (Information and Communication Technologies)**

Failed States

Failed states are states that have failed to settle and live in a climate of civil war and continuing insecurity.

Clash of Civilizations

In the twenty-first century, world conflicts are not developed between nation-states, as in the preceding two centuries, but between large areas that share a similar cultural tradition.

Ethnic Cleansing

Ethnic cleansing is when inhabitants considered undesirable due to their religion or language were expelled from the regions under dispute, in order to achieve greater homogeneity of the population, rather than building multiethnic states to guarantee the rights of all citizens.

Velvet Revolution

The transition from Communist regimes to others, whether... Continue reading "ICT Impact on Global Conflicts and Humanitarian Issues" »

Understanding Capital and Company Objectives

Types of Capital

• Physical Capital: Elements or resources of physical activity used for the production of fixed or circulating assets.
• Human Capital: The level of preparation and training of workers.
• Financial Capital: Economic resources invested in financial assets deposited in the company.

Resource Allocation

Societies must allocate and manage scarce resources that can be used in many ways. Resource selection techniques for production are critical.

Distribution of Resources

Resources are distributed to those who wish to satisfy their needs, to support minimum consumption needs, and to address income disparities.

Company Objectives

• Maximize Profit: Achieve this by increasing revenue and reducing costs.
• Type

Four Visions of Music History

Music history can be viewed through four different lenses, each offering a unique perspective on what constitutes the primary substance of music and the appropriate methodology for its study:

• Functional

  Dominant in the 16th and 17th centuries, this perspective emphasizes the function of music. Genre was viewed as a substantive feature, defined by a fixed relationship between the purpose the music served and the techniques employed. Studying music history through this lens involves understanding it as a division of technical and institutional history. However, it may neglect other aspects and interrelationships.

• Representative

  This view posits that music's power lies in its representative capacity, distinct from expression.

19th Century Europe: Societal Transformations

The 19th century witnessed a gradual shift away from a society based on the privileges of the clergy and nobility. While calls for freedom of work and marriage were gaining traction, the aristocracy still held significant power and privileges throughout the century.

Rise of the Bourgeoisie and the Proletariat

The latter half of the 1800s saw the development of industry and commerce, leading to the bourgeoisie gaining prominence in political, social, economic, and cultural spheres. This period also marked the growth of a new urban and industrial proletariat. These workers, along with those in rural areas, formed a militant proletariat that often clashed with the bourgeois forces driving the new capitalist... Continue reading "19th Century Europe: Social Shifts and Romanticism" »

The shift from communal land use to private ownership, known as the Enclosure Acts, led many rural laborers to seek work in urban centers. This transition coincided with the mechanization of large farms, increasing productivity and profitability. By removing the fallow system, enclosed pastures further boosted agricultural output and farmer incomes. This agricultural development spurred industrial growth.

Economic Liberalism

Economic liberalism is an economic system characterized by private property, free enterprise, and free markets. Its theoretical foundation is rooted in the ideas of thinkers like Adam Smith.

Theoretical Basis of Economic Liberalism

Adam Smith argued that individual self-interest drives economic activity. He believed that wealth... Continue reading "The Enclosure Acts and Rise of Economic Liberalism" »

Psychic Nature of Political Power

The psychic aspect of political power, in the search for acceptance, lies in the conviction of the notion of legitimacy by those who are dominated. When power is legitimate, it is constituted in accordance with certain dominant beliefs. Therefore, there is not one single form of legitimacy (e.g., democracy, monarchy, communism).

Different Types of Political Power

According to Bertrand Russell

• Traditional: Where consent reigns.
• Revolutionary: Where ideology prevails.
• Naked: Where coercion prevails.

According to Maurice Duverger

• Immediate Power: Characteristic of primitive cities, with a fuzzy generalization of the entire group.
• Institutionalized Power: Subject to specific legal rules established for the purpose.

Issues

The territorial organization of a state refers to how power and territory relate within it.

Unitary Model

• Unitary: It arises in the French system as a reaction against the old regime, against the many centers of power. It tries to concentrate power in one center: there is only one state power. This motivates having a single executive, legislative, and judicial branch. The law is the same for all citizens, regardless of where they are in the territory. There is only one center of political leadership. The territorial organization is relevant only for administrative purposes.

Federal Model

• Federal: This model emerged from the independence of the British colonies of North America: the union of different states into one. There are several centers of

Advantages and Disadvantages of Technology and Computing

The Impact of Technology and the Internet

The development of technology and communications, especially during the last decade of the 20th century, has profoundly influenced our lives. It has revolutionized the way we work, learn, and communicate. The internet, in particular, has been a major catalyst for change.

Advantages of Computing

One of the main advantages of computing is the quick and easy access to information it provides. It also helps us perform tasks more efficiently. Moreover, technology can improve the lives of those with limited access to education and opportunities, contributing to the development of underserved or isolated regions worldwide.

Disadvantages of Computing

However,... Continue reading "Advantages and Disadvantages of Technology and Computing in the 21st Century" »