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

Understanding Key Political and Economic Ideologies

Darwinism: Evolution by Natural Selection

Darwinism refers to a set of ideas described by Charles Darwin in On the Origin of Species (1859), based on the theory of evolution by natural selection. While evolutionary theories existed before, Darwin's concept of natural selection was entirely new at the time. Another key point of Darwinism is the "tree of life," the idea that different species of living organisms descended from common ancestors.

Evolutionism: Species Adaptation Over Time

Evolutionism is a school of thought based on the premise that species change and adapt to their environment over time. It has roots in antiquity, drawing from the ideas of the Greeks, Romans, Chinese, and Muslims.... Continue reading "Foundational Political and Economic Theories" »

Demography can be defined as the science that observes, describes, and analyzes the population of a territory. The study of population can be dynamic, referring to its evolution over time, mobility, and distribution in space, or static, analyzing the structure of the population at a specific time.

The goal of demography is to understand the problems linked to population growth and to establish and develop models for future predictions. Currently, local, regional, and state governments need reliable data on the population to organize and plan economic and social activities efficiently. Worldwide, the concern is to implement demographic policies to correct the effects of population explosion in the third world, where the imbalance between population... Continue reading "Understanding Population Dynamics: A Demographic Analysis" »

General Methodological Procedures

Analysis

The decomposition of a whole into its parts.

Summary

A composition or reduction of the whole from its parts. A physical or mental return to the compound from its elements.

Introduction: Special Cases to Generalizations

• Complete: Takes into account all particular things.
• Incomplete: Not all cases are considered.

Deduction

From a general statement, we arrive at the explanation of a particular case.

Reduction

A conditional, from least known to most known (if A, then B. Thus, if B, then A).

Explanation

Used in natural sciences. Aims to establish a link between two things by establishing a cause-and-effect relationship. It aims to link events and fix them into law.

Comprehension

A method related to human relationships,... Continue reading "Methodological Procedures and Scientific Progress" »

Management Theories and Principles

Key Figures in Management

Taylor: American industrial engineer who applied the scientific method to human work, aiming to achieve cooperation between workers and management. He advocated for a clear division between management and workers and providing a stipend.

Fayol: French engineer and economist known for principles such as division of labor, authority and responsibility, discipline, unity of command and direction, and subordination of particular interest to the general team spirit.

Core Management Functions

Planning

The objective is to decide what to achieve, including actions and responsibilities. Key steps include:

1. Determine the mission and the main objectives.
2. Develop the strategy.
3. Implement the plan.

Strategic

The Group

A group is a set of two or more individuals in a common process of social interaction.

Types of Groups

• Category: A group of individuals who share certain characteristics that describe them as common (e.g., University of Madrid).
• Aggregate: A category of persons who share relations in the same space and time (e.g., University of UCJC).
• Functional: People who share a common objective or goal and are involved in an ongoing process of social relationships (e.g., students in the same class).

Ways to be Part of a Group

• Area: The individual's decision is not taken into account. It is decided for them (i.e., you do not choose your family or school).
• Acquisition: The subject decides to take part in it and is accepted by the group.

Characteristics of

PROMAMA Intervention: Early Childhood Activities

This approach is based on transactional and ecological models, focusing on:

• A child's overall care
• Family dynamics
• The surrounding environment

Candel's Three Types of Activities

According to Candel, we can utilize three types of activities:

1. Routine Activities: Regularly occurring activities that offer skills providing immediate benefit to the child.

2. Child-Initiated Activities: Designed to capture and maintain the child's attention and interest.

3. Planned Activities: These allow the child to initiate engagement. Key considerations include:

   • Follow the child's lead, especially when their behavior is less receptive.
   • Introduce planned activities that are meaningful.
   • Observe and provide opportunities for skill improvement.

The press in the 19th and first third of the 20th century allows us to understand historical events and the different interpretations of reality from various political perspectives. Different media outlets responded to political parties and ideological currents within Spanish society.

The development of the press was stimulated in the 19th century by freedom of the press, becoming the main organ of expression for various political currents. This began during the reign of Fernando VII and consolidated throughout the century.

Key Publications

Under Isabel II:

• The Liberal
• The National Guard
• The Echo of the Working Class
• The Rocket

During the Restoration:

• The Emancipation
• The Socialist
• The Spanish and American Emancipation
• Diario de Barcelona
• La Vanguardia

The International Association of Workers (1864-1876)

The International Association of Workers (IAW), also known as the First International, was the first major organization that sought to unite workers from different countries.

Foundation and Key Figures

Founded in London in 1864, it initially brought together British trade unionists, French anarchists and socialists, and Italian Republicans. Its purposes were the political organization of the proletariat in Europe and around the world, as well as providing a forum to discuss common problems and propose courses of action. Key figures who collaborated included Karl Marx, Friedrich Engels, and Mikhail Bakunin.

Ideological Tensions and Split

Significant tensions arose due to programmatic differences... Continue reading "International Association of Workers: History & Legacy" »

Branches of Government

Executive Branch

The Executive Branch is led by the President, who performs their duties, appoints a ministry, and heads the cabinet. In case of illness, death, resignation, or removal, the President is replaced by the Vice President.

Legislative Branch

The Legislative Branch is a collegial body whose function is to draft and enact laws. It is formed by the legislature, typically meeting for sessions, and has two chambers.

Judiciary Branch

The Judiciary Branch is responsible for administering justice through the courts, including lower courts.

Political Concepts Defined

The State

The State is the social and political organization, sovereign and fixed throughout its institutions, which has the power to regulate national life in... Continue reading "Fundamentals of Government and Political Science" »