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

Key International Organizations and Treaties

World Health Organization (WHO)

The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency linked to the UN, established in 1948. It is responsible for managing policies of prevention, coordination, promotion, and health intervention worldwide to achieve the highest possible levels of health for all peoples.

United Nations (UN)

The United Nations (UN) is an international institution created in 1945 to maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relations among nations, achieve international cooperation, and encourage respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.

North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is a political and military supranational... Continue reading "Key International Organizations and Treaties: Definitions" »

Critical Appraisal - The Tree of Knowledge

The Tree of Knowledge belongs to the first stage of Pio Baroja's literary career and thus has some autobiographical elements. It also clearly reflects the sensibility that the authors of the Generation of 98 had with respect to the life and society of the time. Thus, it is arguably one of the most representative novels of Baroja's work and, simultaneously, one of the most typical novels of the Generation of '98.

Autobiographical Nature and Character Development

The autobiographical nature is one of its characteristics, truly becoming a novel of character, focusing on Andres Hurtado. It focuses on the protagonist's life from its beginning to its tragic end, primarily focusing on the psychological development... Continue reading "Critical Appraisal of The Tree of Knowledge by Pio Baroja" »

Understanding International Economic Organization (IEO) Theories

The study of International Economic Organization (IEO) is a discipline that analyzes economic reality through the lens of international economic organizations. It's crucial to distinguish IEO (the field of study) from international economic organizations (ieo), which refers to the actual entities themselves.

With a clear definition of IEO, we can now examine the analytical methods and diverse schools of thought within this field.

Analytical Methods in IEO Studies

Two primary branches can be distinguished in IEO study methodology:

• Philosophical Reflection: This approach focuses on how international organizations should be. It was a predominantly philosophical method that prevailed until

Social Change

Societies can evolve, progressing to more advanced stages or, conversely, decline as seen with the Roman Empire. Changes can be involutive (reversals), such as natural disasters or shifts from democracy to dictatorship. Other changes can be beneficial and progressive.

Resistance to Change

Social institutions maintain stability and resist disruptive pressures, sometimes suppressing or neutralizing these forces to prevent structural transformation.

The Law's Role

The law plays a significant role in resistance to change. Some theories posit that law obstructs social change, while others argue it's a tool for class domination, perpetuating existing social structures.

Law as Obstacle and Factor

The law isn't always an obstacle or solely... Continue reading "Social Change and the Law: Resistance, Evolution, and Impact" »

What is Speech and its Purpose?

Speech is the art of speaking to an audience to please and persuade in some way. Its purpose is to understand the speeches that have been developed according to the rules of rhetoric.

The Origin of Rhetoric

Rhetoric flourished in the democratic cities of Greece in the 5th century BC. The Sicilians Corax (master) and Tisias (disciple) were the first creators of the theories of exhibition techniques useful for the speaker. They created a method to discuss orally in the defense of judicial or political causes, based on the probability that one is more likely than the other.

The Role of Rhetoric

Rhetoric is the building of effective speeches. Each of the formal conceptual levels can enhance the intended persuasive effect.... Continue reading "Rhetoric: Origins, Purpose, and Significance" »

Historical materialism is the philosophy of society and history in Marxism. Marx assumed that the knowledge of man, society, and history requires a science whose subject matter, epistemological foundation, and method are radically different from those of the natural sciences. Historical materialism, Marx thought, is the true science of human phenomena (social and historical) and is presented as a scientific theory of the economic or material conditions of society and history.

The main idea of historical materialism is that history is not an accidental sequence of events resulting from the individual action of some influential characters and decisive action or imaginary subjects, like providence, fate, or the spirit of the people (Volkgeist),... Continue reading "Historical Materialism: Unveiling Society's Economic Foundations" »

Historical materialism, developed by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, is a theory that aims to study society and the laws governing its development. These laws are objective, independent of consciousness, and knowable. Humans employ these laws in their practical activity. Historical materialism provides a scientific study of social reality and its historical evolution from a materialistic standpoint.

Marx developed general concepts that allow the study of any society as a whole, not just at a particular historical moment. Through economic, historical, and philosophical theories, Marx sought to discover the laws governing social change and presented a method for interpreting social conflict and its transformation. The German Ideology already contains... Continue reading "Historical Materialism: Marx and Engels' Theory of Social Change" »

Methods of Political Science

Political scientists employ various methods to study and understand political phenomena. Some of the key methods include:

1. Biological Method:
2. Observation Method:
3. Experimental Method:
4. Psychological Method:
5. Legal Method:
6. Historical Method:
7. Comparative Method:
8. Philosophical Method:

Observation Method

The observation method involves studying political phenomena and their integration to identify the causes that alter or modify them. This often involves analyzing political life using statistics. For example, analyzing election results.

Experimental Method

The experimental method has limited scope in political science because political life is a dynamic process. Governments and political structures are constantly changing. Examples... Continue reading "Political Science Methods: A Comprehensive Analysis" »

Political Parties: Moderates and Progressives

Liberalism had two initial, different manifestations: moderate doctrinaire liberalism, also known as conservative, and progressive liberalism. In many cases, rather than political parties, these were groups of notables still lacking a clear party infrastructure. They only organized into electoral periods, often responding to military leadership.

Doctrinaire Liberalism (Moderates)

Doctrinaire or moderate liberalism defended **dual representation**, whereby the Crown and the Cortes were the two bodies forming the basis of shared sovereignty and together constituted the legislative power. They emphasized the elitism of their political preference with a bicameral Cortes. Members of the Senate were appointed... Continue reading "Historical Liberalism: Moderates and Progressives" »

Core Management Functions

Planning

Effective planning involves anticipating and preparing in two key ways. It requires creating a detailed plan or project outlining actions for the short, medium, and long term. For a project's viability, it must be meticulously programmed, considering the cost of actions and budgeting accordingly.

Organizing

Organizing involves establishing clear organizational structures. Authority and responsibility are delegated by defining relationships across all company levels.

Implementation

Implementation requires constant decision-making and effective communication of those decisions.

Coordination

Coordination focuses on materializing resources and aligning efforts, ensuring all functions work in concert to achieve common... Continue reading "Essential Management Functions and Key Leadership Styles" »