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

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" »

1. Causes of the French Revolution

The Ideas of the Enlightenment

The Enlightenment introduced transformative concepts that challenged the status quo, specifically:

• Equality of all people under the law
• Separation of powers
• Popular sovereignty

The Political Crisis

France functioned as an absolute monarchy under Louis XVI. The King refused to convene the courts, preventing the Third Estate from presenting their demands.

The Economic Crisis

France faced bankruptcy due to its support of the USA in the American War of Independence and the extravagant lifestyle of the monarchy. Despite advisors urging the clergy and nobility to pay taxes, the King was eventually forced to convene the Estates General.

The Social Crisis

• Clergy and Nobility: Sought to protect

The Effectiveness of Prisons

Many people think that prisoners are not effective. They say that prisoners who are released often go on to commit other crimes. The question is, however, does this mean prisons are a waste of money?

Arguments Against Incarceration

On the one hand, some people believe that putting criminals together makes crime seem normal to offenders. As a result, their experience of being in prison does not help them to live a crime-free life when they are released. Furthermore, as huge amounts of money are spent on prisons, it is often said that prisons are a waste of money.

Arguments for Incarceration

On the other hand, others believe that prisons are essential. They claim that serious offenders must be punished for their actions... Continue reading "The Effectiveness of Prisons and the Pursuit of a Perfect Society" »

The Role of Production in Operations Management

Production is the transformation of resources into both goods and services. It is one of the most vital responsibilities in operations management because it is a key factor in determining a company’s competitiveness and profitability. Companies that can produce similar goods or services with fewer resources have a distinct advantage over their competitors.

Example: The Toyota Production System is world-renowned for its ability to continually improve productivity and quality.

Understanding Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

In 1943, psychologist Abraham Maslow hypothesized that behavior is determined by a variety of needs, which he organized into categories arranged in a hierarchy. The most basic needs... Continue reading "Key Concepts in Operations and Organizational Behavior" »

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

Defining Prejudice and Discrimination

Key Forms of Bigotry

• Religious Bigotry: Using religion to discriminate against others.
• Anti-Semitism: Prejudice, discrimination, or hatred directed towards Jewish people.
• Xenophobia: The fear or dislike of someone because they are from another country.
• Discrimination: Making a difference in treatment based on factors other than individual character. This can occur even without personal prejudice.

Theories Behind Prejudice and Social Division

• Situational Pressure: People's actions under pressure do not always match their chosen public personas or beliefs.
• Group Gains: When one group intentionally keeps another group separate and oppressed to maintain its own elevated status.
• Institutional Structure: When prejudice

Style: typical way of writing used by one particular person. It can refer to choice of words, tone, grammar, and narrative techniques.

Tone: general feeling or attitude toward the subject expressed in a piece of writing. It rather refers to the emotional or sensual content of a text. It creates a certain mood.

Register: choice of words, style, and grammar used by writers in a particular social context. It often reflects social status of the people. There are rules about what register is appropriate in particular situations.

Style

• formal - formal expressions, foreign words, specialist terms, objectivity, detachment, politeness, complete and complex sentences
• informal - informal and colloquial expressions, phrasal verbs, simple sentences, subjectivity,

21st Century Migration: A Perilous Journey

Today, society is increasingly aware of the profound challenges of immigration. While migration has always existed, the movement between countries is intensifying due to the desperate conditions many people are living in.

Why People Migrate: Seeking Safety and Opportunity

Fundamentally, people migrate because their home countries are unsafe, marked by poor conditions and prevalent illnesses. This journey, however, is incredibly dangerous.

Perilous Journeys: Sea Crossings and Documentation Challenges

First, groups often attempt to board precarious dinghies, then they must survive the perilous sea crossing. In addition, upon arrival, they frequently lack proper documentation, risking apprehension by authorities... Continue reading "Global Migration and Mallorca's Housing Crisis: Urgent Humanitarian Concerns" »