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

Poetry

This genre often clashed with rationalism and the didactic aims of literature; expressing feelings was not well received.

Historical issues predominated, along with pastoral and anacreontic themes (extolling elementary pleasures and wine).

Featured Poets

Juan Meléndez Valdés, Tomás de Iriarte, and Félix Samaniego. The latter two are known for their fables.

Prose

The Essay: A study or written reflection on any subject affecting humanity (political, economic, social, literary, philosophical, etc.) that prompts the reader to think about the proposed topic.

• Benito Jerónimo Feijoo: A monk who taught at the University of Oviedo. He was a great promoter of European thought at the time. Much of his work was dedicated to debunking false superstitions

Although discussions about production and distribution have a long history, economic science in its modern sense, as a separate discipline, is conventionally dated from the publication of The Wealth of Nations by Adam Smith in 1776.^[7] In it, he describes the discipline in these exact words:

Political economy, considered a branch of science of a statesman or legislator, proposes two distinct objects: first, to supply goods or income in abundance for the people, or more properly, to enable them to provide such a revenue or subsistence for themselves; and, second, to supply the state or commonwealth with a revenue sufficient for the public services. It proposes to enrich both the people and the sovereign.

Smith referred to the subject as "political... Continue reading "The Birth of Modern Economics: Physiocracy and its Principles" »

Oligarchy and Caciquismo: Political Commentary (1902)

Source Analysis and Nature of the Text

The text presented is a piece of political commentary titled Oligarchy and Caciquismo, dated 1902, placing it within the historical period of the Spanish Restoration. As it originates from the time period it describes, it is considered a primary source.

Key Concepts Defined

• Oligarchy: A form of government in which supreme power is held by a small group of people.
• Caciquismo: A system of local government characterized by a political leader (the cacique) who exercises total dominance over rural society, often expressed as political patronage.

Historical Context and Key Figures

These forms of government were prevalent in Spain during the Restoration period, particularly... Continue reading "Spanish Restoration Politics: Oligarchy and Caciquismo (1902)" »

Adam Smith and Laissez-Faire Economics

Smith defined the nation's wealth not as a fixed landmark, but derived from the open market, driven by individual self-interest and competition.

Economic Liberalism: Conditions for Growth

Economic liberalism promotes growth and prosperity through specific mechanisms, primarily focusing on minimizing government intervention and maximizing individual economic freedom.

Key tenets of economic liberalism include:

• Removal of Regulations: Granting freedom to invest and operate without excessive governmental limits.
• Market Mechanisms: Reliance on free competition, the law of supply and demand, and market evolution.
• Labor Freedom: Freedom of employment, including conditions of recruitment and hours of work.
• Limiting the

Rebuilding and Progress: Key Developments

• Infrastructure Development
• Benefiting from Sectoral Investments
• Responsible Use of Natural Resources
• Improving Living Conditions and Services: Hospitals, Schools
• Planning for Social and Political Progress

Lingering Issues and Societal Discontent

• Challenges to Colonial Sovereignty
• Artificial Division of Peoples and States, Fueling Conflicts
• Decline of Traditional Crop Diversity
• Loss of Indigenous Identity and Demographic Challenges

The Aftermath of Conflict: Economic and Social Turmoil

Democracy's initial triumph after the World War was soon contrasted with the rise of dictatorships. The basic ideas of democracy and constitutional values faced significant challenges. All these nations grappled with widespread economic... Continue reading "Europe's Interwar Transformation: Economic Revival and Political Realignment" »

The Concept of Race

Race refers to groups of individuals exhibiting greater genetic similarity among themselves than with members of other groups. The concept of race historically stemmed from the idea that physical differences, such as skin color or dress, arose from adaptations to diverse climates and environments. In the nineteenth century, these observable physical distinctions led scientists to believe humanity could be subdivided into distinct races.

Defining Racism

Racism is the assumption that there are inherently superior and inferior human races. Historically, perceived 'superior' races were attributed with qualities like intelligence, while 'inferior' races were denied such attributes.

Understanding Culture

The notion of culture encompasses... Continue reading "Human Race, Culture, and Societal Dynamics" »

**Early Communication Development: 9 to 24 Months**

**Communicative Functions at 9-12 Months (Halliday, 1982)**

• Instrumental: The child attempts to obtain an object out of reach by gesturing and emphasizing the action with body rhythm, repeating the gesture with corresponding vocalizations.
• Regulatory: The child wants the adult to perform a specific action, such as being picked up or having a door opened.
• Interactive: The child tries to maintain contact with what interests them. This includes rituals of greeting, farewell, beginning, and end.
• Personal: The child expresses their individuality through rejection in response to others' proposals or participation, indicating satisfaction or interest in the partner's proposals.

**Communicative Functions

The European Parliament (EP)

The European Parliament (EP) is a constitutional institution in the European Union (EU) that directly represents EU citizens. It is elected every five years by universal, direct, and secret vote of European citizens in European elections.

Role and Democratic Nature of the EP

The EP is the most democratic parliament in the world and, within the European Union, the only supranational body that is directly elected. The Parliament is considered the "first institution" of the European Union; it is first mentioned in the treaties, and its President takes protocol precedence over all other authorities in Europe. Along with the Council of the European Union, the EP is part of the bicameral legislative branch of EU institutions.... Continue reading "Structure and Functions of European Union Institutions" »

Community Social Work and Democratic Citizenship

The primary challenge for community social workers is to maintain democratic citizenship as a central focus in all actions. The ability to organize and collectively defend rights or achieve objectives is essential for survival and influence in democratic societies.

Key Stages in Community Social Work:

1. Analyze challenges and problems from the perspective of democracy, equality, and citizen opportunities within the life context.
2. Establish internal community empowerment objectives and external community goals for collective action.
3. Design community and collective actions, considering dynamics, interaction, communication, and evaluation methodologies.
4. Conduct a final evaluation of acquired training and

The Family of Charles IV by Francisco Goya: Neoclassical Portrait Analysis

The family of Charles IV is the title that the author, Francisco Goya Lucientes, gave to this portrait. The chronology is 1800-1801. The Spanish school and his style is neoclassical.

The subject of this portrait is a commission by Charles IV, portraying his family without flattery. Goya appears behind, immersed in the shadows, and as an independent observer, alluding to Las Meninas by Velázquez.

The description of this portrait notes that the support elements are the fabric and the technique used is oil.

Formal and compositional elements:

• Form: Closed and shallow shaped frieze.
• Composition: Neoclassical roots arranged in a frieze with a certain ambiguity for both the centrality