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

1. Elitist Democracy

Based on the writings of Max Weber and Joseph Schumpeter, elitist democracy posits that democracy is a mechanism for selecting those who govern. In Capitalism, Socialism and Democracy, Schumpeter aimed to refine democratic theory by challenging the classical definition of democracy as an arrangement for achieving the common good. He argued that this definition relied on vague concepts like the 'popular will'. Instead, he proposed a more 'realistic' definition: democracy as a competitive struggle for votes, where individuals acquire power through this process.

2. Participatory Democracy

In contrast to elitist theory, participatory democracy emphasizes the active role of citizens in shaping political decisions. It argues that... Continue reading "Types of Democracy" »

Mass Media

Mass media are channels used to transmit messages to large groups of people. They include the press, radio, cinema, and television.

Characteristics of Mass Media

Despite their differences, mass media share four common characteristics:

• Complex technology
• Specialized professionals
• Large receiver group
• Unidirectional messages

The media are a powerful instrument of social influence with three primary purposes:

• Report information
• Form opinions
• Provide entertainment

Relationship Between Verbal and Nonverbal Codes

Each medium has its unique features, but they all use different communicative codes. For example:

• Press: Emphasizes image, headlines, and text layout.
• Media sets: Emphasizes music and gestures.

Television

Television communicates through visual... Continue reading "Understanding Mass Media, Scientific, and Legal Language" »

Key Concepts in Social Sciences

• Individual: Refers to a specific entity within a subject. It doesn't necessarily mean a human but can be any complete being belonging to a species, whether animal or vegetable.
• Society: In a broad sense, encompasses all individuals who interact, sharing common purposes, behaviors, or cultural traits.
• Social Intelligence: Also known as "intelligence sharing," it emerges from the interaction between people.
• Social Status: The position an individual occupies within the social structure, as evaluated by society. Each status is associated with prestige, consideration, remuneration, living standards, and social power.
• Roles: A set of norms and standards of conduct for an individual, based on their status, class, or social

The General Law of Education (1970)

Established free and compulsory education from ages 6-14, and the right to Spanish education at all levels.

The 1978 Constitution

Article 27 guarantees the right to education for everyone, seeking the full development of personality based on democratic principles, fundamental rights, and freedoms. The government must ensure parents' right to choose religious and moral training.

Key Pillars of this Educational Period:

• Realizing and extending the right to education for all Spaniards.
• Improving the quality of the education system.
• Decentralizing educational administration.

The novelty lies in the guaranteed right to education through the new Social Democratic state established in Spain in 1978.

LOEC, Organic Law 5/1980

Article... Continue reading "Evolution of Spain's Education System: Key Legislation & Principles" »

Elton Mayo and the Hawthorne Studies
The Hawthorne studies represent a cornerstone of modern behavioral management theory. At Western Electric's Hawthorne plant, researchers pioneered the study of human behavior in organizations. Initial experiments focused on factors like lighting, fatigue, and noise, and their impact on productivity. These three-year experiments yielded surprising results: the productivity of workers in the experimental group (with altered conditions) was nearly equal to that of workers under normal conditions.
In 1927, a group of six employees were selected for further investigation. They were informed they were participating in an important experiment to improve factory working conditions.

Theory X - Y (Douglas McGregor)

Historical Context of the 17th Century

The 17th century was a period of economic and demographic crisis, marked by the Baroque era and the rise of rationalism.

Economic Situation

Several European countries, including Spain and Portugal, established colonial empires. While initially boosting economic development through trade, wars, plagues, and poor harvests led to a widespread economic crisis that impacted society and culture.

Political Situation

During this century, Europe experienced a continued centralization of political power, leading to the rise of absolute monarchy. Kings concentrated all power, supported by the aristocracy (socially) and the bourgeoisie (economically). This era is known as the Old Regime.

Social Status

The 17th century was... Continue reading "17th Century and Middle Ages: History & Context" »

Pact for Health 2006: Unifying Brazil's Public Healthcare

The Pact for Health 2006 represents a crucial set of institutional reforms for the Unified Health System (SUS), agreed upon by the three levels of government (federal, state, and municipal). Its primary aim is to foster innovation in processes and management tools, leading to greater efficiency and quality in the SUS's responses. Concurrently, this health pact redefines the responsibilities of each manager, aligning them with the population's health needs and the pursuit of social equity.

Setting Priorities: Three Integrated Covenants

The Pact for Health 2006 articulates and integrates priorities through three distinct covenants:

• Covenant for Life
• Covenant in Defense of the SUS
• Management

Barriers to Integrated Healthcare Teamwork

Developing integrated teamwork in healthcare faces challenges at multiple levels: individual, group, and institutional.

Understanding the Levels of Barriers

• Individual Barriers: These relate to each member's personal understanding of teamwork. A key question for healthcare professionals is defining their role and place within the team. Achieving common, shared, and aligned goals among professionals is a complex task.
• Group Process Barriers: Phenomena such as anxieties, fears, disputes, and conflicts often manifest as resistance, boycotts, or attacks within the work environment. These group dynamics can significantly impede the achievement of team goals.
• Institutional Barriers: A prominent institutional

Proposal Structure

A research proposal seeks resources (human, financial, material) for a specific project. It's a written document outlining activities, specifications, and parameters.

Introduction

This section establishes the relevance, importance, and purpose of the investigation. It includes the working hypothesis and a summary of the methodology, emphasizing the study type, research design, population identification, and sampling method. The final paragraph should summarize the document's structure, outlining chapters and their content.

Theoretical Framework

This section elaborates on the problem's theory, integrating it with research and their interrelations. It analyzes and presents relevant theories, approaches, and background research.

Problem

The Rise of Economic Liberalism

Economic liberalism imposed a new system to regulate the economy. Based on the principle of laissez-faire, laissez-passer ("let do, let pass"), this system promoted freedom of action in all economic sectors.

Basic Principles of Economic Liberalism:

• Work is the only source of wealth.
• Personal interest serves the interest of the community.
• Economic activity is regulated by the law of supply and demand.
• Governments should not intervene in production and exchange. Private enterprise must function freely with maximum individual initiative.
• Free trade is essential.

The application of economic liberalism was favored by venture capitalists.

The Labor Movement

The disappearance of traditional worker protections, coupled with the... Continue reading "The Rise of Economic Liberalism and the Labor Movement" »