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

Core Principles of Enlightenment Thinkers

John Locke believed in natural rights.

The idea that government power comes from the people is called the social contract.

Montesquieu supported the separation of powers to avoid the concentration of power.

A system with elected representatives is called republicanism.

A government ruled by a king with total power is known as an absolute monarchy.

The Enlightenment was a movement that promoted reason, science, and progress.

A revolution represents a major political or social change.

Key Terms and Definitions

• Revolution: A big political or social change.
• Enlightenment: A movement based on reason and science.
• Absolute Monarchy: When a king has total power.
• Social Contract: An agreement between the people and the

Meaning and Definitions of Sociology

Etymological: From Latin socius (companion/society) and Greek logos (study/science) – literally, the "science of society".

Scientific Study: It is a systematic, empirical study of human society, social behavior, patterns, and relationships, using scientific methods to understand social phenomena, unlike mere philosophical speculation.

Key Focus Areas: Social structure, social institutions (family, education, religion), social interaction, culture, and the impact of society on individual behavior.

Definitions of Sociology

• Auguste Comte (Father of Sociology): Defined sociology as the science of social phenomena, aiming to discover the laws governing society.
• M. Ginsberg: "Sociology is the study of human interactions

Global Inequality

• High Income: Highly industrialized, educated, urbanized, and technologically advanced. (16% of global population)
• Middle Income: Less developed and wealthy than high-income nations, often due to a historical late start. (75% of global population)
• Low Income: Primarily agricultural; characterized by poverty, malnutrition, educational deprivation, and preventable diseases. (9% of global population)

Extreme Poverty

• A form of absolute poverty characterized by severe deprivation of basic human needs: food, safe drinking water, sanitation, health, shelter, and education.
• Statistics: The World Bank defines extreme poverty as living on less than $2.15 per day. As of 2021, approximately 8.5% of the global population lived in extreme poverty,

Environmental Protection and Sustainability

The environment is the foundation of all life on Earth. It includes air, water, soil, plants, animals, and the natural systems that support them. In recent decades, rapid industrialization, population growth, and urbanization have placed tremendous pressure on the environment. Problems such as air pollution, deforestation, climate change, and loss of biodiversity have become serious global concerns. These issues threaten the health and well-being of all living beings, including humans.

Collective Action for a Cleaner Planet

Protecting the environment requires collective effort. Governments must enforce strict laws to reduce pollution and promote sustainable development. Industries should adopt eco-friendly... Continue reading "Pillars of Progress: Essential Topics for Modern Society" »

Comparative Politics: Conceptual Understanding (400 words)

Comparative Politics is a subfield of political science that involves the systematic study and comparison of political systems, institutions, processes, and behavior across different countries. Its primary aim is to identify patterns, similarities, and differences in how political power is organized and exercised globally.

Core Questions and Objectives

At its core, comparative politics seeks to answer fundamental questions: Why do some countries have stable democracies while others struggle with authoritarianism? What explains the variation in governance, political participation, policy outcomes, or state development? Through such inquiries, scholars can build theories about political... Continue reading "Comparative Politics: Analyzing Global Political Systems" »

Secularism: Separation of State and Religion

Secularism is the principle of separating government institutions and persons mandated to represent the state from religious institutions and religious dignitaries.

Key Aspects of Secularism

1. Separation of Church and State: Secularism advocates for a clear distinction between religious institutions and the state.
2. Neutrality: Secular governments aim to remain neutral on matters of religion, ensuring equal treatment of all citizens regardless of their religious beliefs.
3. Freedom of Religion: Secularism often promotes freedom of religion, allowing individuals to practice their faith without interference from the state.

Benefits of Secular Governance

1. Promotes Diversity: Secularism can foster a more inclusive

Crossword Definitions

Down:

1. Subsidiarity: Principle according to which the state intervenes only in areas where individuals or private initiative cannot act.
2. Citizenship: The position or status of being a citizen.
3. Welfare State: Government model that seeks to guarantee social rights such as health, education.
4. Liberalism: A political and economic current that promotes the free market.

Across:

2. Crisis: Period of financial instability, marked by devaluations.
3. Social Justice: Principle that seeks to guarantee equality and equity.
4. Development Plan: Set of strategies implemented by the state.
5. Solidarity: Value that encourages cooperation between citizens.

Key Historical Concepts & Events

• During the period known as Maximato, Plutarco Elías Calles exercised

Realism: Core Principles in International Relations

• This point of view was predominantly used by political leaders before World War I.
• Human nature is inherently flawed and selfish; individuals prioritize their own interests.
• The only significant actor in International Relations (IR) is the state, and its decisions are paramount.
• IR is characterized by competition, not cooperation, often resulting in a zero-sum game.
• States seek to maximize their power, defined as the capacity to influence other states or people.
• National interests are synonymous with *national security*, guaranteeing the state's own survival.
• Politics and morality are fundamentally incompatible.

Key Authors: Morgenthau, Kennan, Kissinger.

Idealism and the Pursuit of Global Peace

• Peace

Strategic Control

The macro and microenvironment premise and importance for a firm.

Control Mechanisms

• Implementation Control: Inside and outside monitoring.
• Strategic Surveillance: Addressing unexpected events.

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Performance Indicators Concept

Concept: Indicators

Perspective: Financial Perspective / To be able to develop new products constantly:

• Concept: Objective
• Perspective: Internal Processes Perspective / Create an innovation and development committee:
• Concept: Initiatives
• Perspective: Internal Processes Perspective / Have at least 2 professionals with master’s degrees in product development:
• Concept: Goals
• Perspective: Growth and Learning Perspective.

CHARLOTTE: City Strategy Analysis

The City of Charlotte aims for... Continue reading "Strategic Control Frameworks and Business Analysis" »

Criticism of the Ancien Régime

Throughout the 18th century, the prevailing system was characterized by political absolutism, a feudal estate society, and a fundamentally agrarian economy. Enlightenment thought, in its most radical version, pointed out its shortcomings and inefficiencies:

Key Shortcomings and Inefficiencies

• Legal Inequality of Estate Society

  Society was divided into estates or social classes with different rights, duties, and privileges, determined by birth and social status, rather than individual ability or merit. This system reflected a rigid hierarchy that limited social mobility and consolidated the power of certain (privileged) classes over others (the Third Estate).

• Survival of a Feudal Economy

  Although there had been a growth