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

Power in Global Politics

Power is a central concept in global politics. It's the ability to effect change within social organizations, not a unitary force. Understanding power dynamics is crucial, especially with growing globalization and contested relationships between people and groups.

Sovereignty

Sovereignty is a state's independence, territorial control, and self-governance. How states use this power is key. Some argue globalization erodes sovereignty, while others believe states retain significant power in their national interest.

Legitimacy in Governance

Legitimacy is the basis for governance and exercising power. Democracy and constitutionalism, where citizens choose their leaders, are widely accepted sources. Other sources exist where this... Continue reading "Power, Sovereignty, Legitimacy, and Interdependence in Global Politics" »

The Left-Right Political Spectrum

The origins of the left-right political division are debated. While most sources place its birth in the first weeks of the French Revolution, the exact day remains a point of disagreement.

Defining the Political Left

In political science, the Left refers to the group of people who support a doctrine or ideology that advocates progressive social and economic transformations, often standing in opposition to conservative ideas.

Being left-wing often represents a political position contrary to traditional governments and is associated with liberal ideology. The primary purpose of the Left is to reduce economic gaps between the poor and the rich, based on the belief that society should help everyone through collective... Continue reading "Political Left: Origins, Ideology, and Latin America" »

Nowadays, with the aim of making undergraduate students more familiar with the labour market, “Estudios Ingleses” degree is now offering internships as an optional subject to all students on their last academic year. Therefore, it is quite frequent for students to consider which option would be more suitable for them. The aim of this essay is to compare and contrast similarities and differences between making an internship as an optional subject or choosing other optional subjects.

Both ways of studying share some similarities, being one of them learning about the subject you have chosen. They will obtain the same content in both cases and also, they will expend the same time.

The second similarity would be that they are able to get a job.

With robots becoming more common each and every day, it is important to understand both the advantages and disadvantages that robots have. This will help enable people to better determine when to use and when to not use robots.

The Advantages of Robots

Cost: The most obvious advantage of robots is their cost. Robots are cheaper than most human counterparts, and their costs are still decreasing.

Abilities: Robotic abilities, what robots can do, are now extremely vast and growing.

Productivity: Robots do not tire and can work very long hours without service or maintenance. As a result, robots can be significantly more productive than people.

Precision: Robots can be much more precise than people. For instance, robots should not tremble or shake as... Continue reading "Advantages and Disadvantages of Robots: Cost, Abilities, and More" »

Industrial Revolutions: First and Second

Similarities Between Revolutions

• Both were part of a transition from an agrarian society to an industrial one.
• Manual labor was replaced by factories, machines, and a new class of industrial workers.
• Both utilized fossil fuels (*e.g., coal*, *oil*).
• Both contributed to increased production and global trade through improved transport.
• Both fostered the development of new types of economic investment.

First Industrial Revolution (1750-1840)

Period and Countries

It started in England in the early 1750s and spread to Belgium and Germany between 1780 and 1840.

Sources of Energy

Fossil fuels, primarily coal.

Type of Energy

Mechanical energy produced by steam engines.

Transport Advances

• Rail transport (from 1830)
• Maritime

Equality

Egalitarian theories are based on a concept of equality that all people, or groups of people, are seen as having the same intrinsic value. Equality is therefore closely linked to justice and fairness, as egalitarians argue that justice can only exist if there is equality. Increasingly, with growing polarization within societies, equality is also linked to liberty, as different people have differing possibilities to be free and autonomous.

Development

Development is a sustained increase in the standard of living and well-being of a level of social organization. Many consider it to involve increased income; better access to basic goods and services; improvements in education, healthcare and public health; well-functioning institutions;... Continue reading "Key Concepts: Equality, Development, Globalization, Inequality, Sustainability" »

Slide 1: Remembering the Good and Bad Times at 11

Slide 1: Remember the good and bad times when you were 11 years old? (rhetorical question) Well, Today's presentation will give you deeper insight into the key messages behind the documentary of 'I am Eleven', commentary by Genevieve Bailey. My ideas, opinion and explanations of elements in the documentary connected to my personal life will be expressed. I will share some of my thoughts and experiences as an 11-year-old and how it has changed the way I am today.

Slide 2: Shifting to Australia at 11

Slide 2: First of all, shifting to Australia at the age of 11 was a difficult process. There was a lot of new things to discover and experiencing these moments, meeting new people and getting used to... Continue reading "Insights into 'I am Eleven' Documentary and Personal Reflections" »

Types of Power

• Coercive power: Dependent on fear.
• Reward power: Occurs when people go along with the wishes or directives of others if doing so produces positive benefits.
• Legitimate power: The power a person has because of their position in the formal hierarchy of an organization.
• Expert power: Based on expertise, special skills, or knowledge.
• Referent power: Comes from admiration of another and a desire to be liked by that person.

Expected Reactions to Power

• Resistance: Coercive
• Compliance: Reward, Legitimate
• Commitment: Expert, Referent

Dependency: The Key to Power

Dependency is central to understanding power: the greater B's dependency on A, the greater the power A has over B.

Important / Scarce / Cannot be substituted

Influence Tactics

• Rational persuasion
• Inspirational

Consequences of the Industrial Revolution

The Industrial Revolution brought profound changes across society, categorized as follows:

• Economic Consequences:
  • Increased production leading to a consumer society.
  • The heightened need for raw materials.
• Political Consequences:
  • Shift from absolute monarchy to parliamentary monarchy.
• Social Consequences:
  • Transition from an agricultural society to an industrial society.
  • The persistence of the Ancien Régime's class-based society into the industrial era.
• Cultural Consequences:
  • Transformation of traditional culture into a new urban culture.
• Social and Cultural Consequences:
  • Creation of new classes leading to new ideologies.

The Emergence of the Proletariat and Trade Unions

The emergence of Trade Unions occurred in 19th-... Continue reading "Industrial Revolution: Social, Economic, and Political Transformations" »

The Aim of Art and Theatre in Pygmalion

According to George Bernard Shaw's Preface, Pygmalion succeeds as didactic art, demonstrating that art and theatre can be used to teach.

The Relevance of Phonetics

In Act I, the Note Taker explains to Colonel Pickering that phonetics is crucial because speech reveals a person's origins and many aspects of their identity.

Eliza's Motivation

Eliza seeks lessons from Professor Higgins to improve her pronunciation. She believes proper speech is essential for her dream of opening a flower shop.

The Bet and Conflict

Higgins bets he can transform Eliza into a refined lady within six months. Pickering agrees to cover the expenses if Higgins succeeds. This bet becomes a source of conflict because Higgins and Pickering... Continue reading "Pygmalion: Analysis of Themes and Characters" »