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

Analyse the relationship between population trends and international security. What factors might determine whether a population issue is a threat to international security? How does the international community tend to respond to such problems?

Intro:

• Several factors can determine whether a population issue is a threat to international security.
• These can be in regards to migration, fertility rates and terrorism.
• International community has tended to respond in accordance with nation-based responses, rather than coordinating a joint approach between themselves.

The State of Human Security

Demographic trends can hinder the achievement of human security, and thus affect the security of a nation. Many country governments have expressed concern about... Continue reading "Population Trends and International Security: Threats and Responses" »

1. Coherence

Coherence is a semantic property of discourse, based on the interpretation of sentences. It involves selecting and organizing information that aligns with the text's meaning, ensuring the receiver clearly perceives the message. The meaning of a text is derived from the sum of the sentences that constitute it. These relationships form the "microstructure" or local structure, which is superimposed by a "macrostructure" or general structure formed for each sub-topic or block of meaning within the text.

• Local coherence manifests in the sentences that constitute the text.
• Linear coherence allows for the relationship between phrases and sentences that correspond to the same idea.
• Global coherence is determined by the overall semantic content

Spain and the European Union

In 1985, Spain signed the Act of Accession to the European Economic Community (EEC). The right to basic human rights has always been, and remains, an indispensable precondition for EEC membership. Today, the European Union comprises 27 countries.

The Formation of the European Union

Treaty of Rome (1957)

In 1957, France, the then Federal Republic of Germany, Italy, Belgium, and Luxembourg signed the founding treaty. This treaty provided for the gradual formation of a common market and the implementation of common institutions to coordinate policies among member countries. Thus, the EEC was born. In the agricultural field, a coordinated policy, the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), began in 1961.

In 1987, the Single European

Purpose and Scope of the Charter

The Charter defines the bases that constitute a professional and efficient civil service, recognizing it as a key element for democratic governance and good governance in contemporary societies.

Objectives of the Charter

• To configure a generic framework of guiding principles, policies, and management mechanisms that should constitute a common language regarding public service in the countries of the Latin American community.
• To serve as a source of inspiration for specific applications, regulations, developments, and reforms appropriate for the improvement and modernization of national systems of public service in this area.

The Concept of Public Service

The civil service is constituted by the set of institutional... Continue reading "Civil Service Charter: Principles for Professional Public Administration" »

The Emergence of Nationalism

Nationalism

Like the French Revolution enabled the liberal movement to impose French hegemony under Napoleon Bonaparte's Empire, it provoked the awakening of patriotic sentiments expressed in national consciousness. Along with the claim of individual freedoms, this movement is characterized by the liberties of the people and the representation of a state for oppressed nationalities.

Nationalism presents various methods, based on its political ideology and purposes:

• Conservative Nationalism: Based on some German thinkers who defend the superiority of the people over individuals, facing the Liberals and claiming the right of any nation to build its own state.
• Liberal Nationalism: Characterized by the importance individuals

The First Global Revolution and the New World Order

The Club of Rome in 1991 published a report entitled The First Global Revolution, which set forth the characteristics of the NOM (New World Order) as follows:

1. A strong urban growth;
2. A population explosion of the PIAS South;
3. An awakening of minorities and nationalism;
4. A more intense interdependence of nations;
5. An extension of the market economy;
6. An uneven economic growth;
7. A financial globalization with speculative trends;
8. Profound changes to the environment;
9. Major advances in high technologies;
10. Loss of ethical values and the extension of new pests.

Neoliberalism and Historical Economic Models

Neoliberalism is a legacy of the economic and ideological model proposed by Adam Smith in 1776 in his book The Wealth

Metaphysics and Marxist Analysis

Metaphysics: One of Marx's major contributions is his method of analyzing social and economic reality, and the historical development of society.

He interpreted history using Hegel's dialectical method from a materialist perspective, focusing on the development of contradictions (thesis, antithesis, synthesis).

Historical Materialism Explained

Historical Materialism: The only existing reality is matter. Historical and social analysis explains all social, political, and cultural aspects in terms of productive forces and production relations.

Marx distinguishes various structures that form the whole of society:

The Infrastructure of Society

• The basic infrastructure of society is the economic system, the way people are

Understanding Motivation in the Workplace

Motivation is what drives an individual to act and behave in a certain way, influencing their performance and engagement.

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs (Pyramid)

Abraham Maslow's theory proposes a five-tier model of human needs, often depicted as hierarchical levels within a pyramid:

• Physiological Needs: Basic survival requirements such as air, food, rest, shelter, and clothing.
• Safety Needs: Protection from danger, deprivation, and the need for security and stability.
• Social Needs: The need for belonging, friendship, group membership, and affection.
• Esteem Needs: The desire for reputation, recognition, respect from others, and self-respect.
• Self-Actualization: The drive to achieve one's full potential, pursue

The Significance of Culture in Social Sciences

Social sciences are deeply intertwined with the study of culture. Here's a look at how different disciplines approach it:

Cultural Anthropology

Focuses on the origin of cultures, their evolution, development, and expressions, including music and language.

Sociology

Aims to scientifically understand the sociocultural reality of people, though sometimes struggles to fully grasp its nuances.

Social Psychology

Contextualizes and provides a framework for understanding how culture influences the formation of social and individual personalities.

History

Explains past societies and provides a sense of continuity to cultural changes and developments.

Economics

Examines how the economic organization of people is influenced... Continue reading "Understanding Culture's Role in Social Sciences" »