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

The Traditional Basque Novel (Late 19th Century to 1936)

The traditional Basque novel emerged in the late 19th century and continued until the period surrounding the Spanish Civil War (1936). This literary tradition exhibits several defining characteristics:

• Romantic Roots: It is fundamentally rooted in the romantic novel tradition.
• Focus on Customs: Writers were sensitive to local customs, often highlighting the risk of their loss or change.
• Idealization of Rural Life: There is a strong idealization of the people in villages and coastal communities.
• Religious Influence: The Catholic religion carries significant weight, often presenting an open pastoral tone.
• Narrative Style: These novels are typically descriptive, sometimes featuring weak or intricate

19th Century Reform Movements

In the nineteenth century, various social and political theories emerged to pursue a more egalitarian society. Key reformers included:

• Jeremy Bentham: Founder of utilitarianism, he argued that a fair state seeks the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people.
• Henri de Saint-Simon: Advocated for a new state organization where spiritual power resides with scientists and temporal power with productive industrial classes. He believed parasitic classes—such as the military, clergy, and aristocracy—should be eliminated.
• John Stuart Mill: Proposed a social system bridging liberalism and socialism. Alongside his wife, Harriet Taylor, he was a pioneer in the fight for women's equality.

Social Democracy as an Alternative

Social

The Spanish Constitution of 1876

The Constitution of 1876 demonstrated a doctrinaire liberalism characterized by census suffrage and shared sovereignty between the Cortes and the King. It was conservative in nature and inspired by the traditional historical values of the monarchy, religion, and property.

The constitution regarded the monarchy as a superior institution and a moderating power, acting as an arbiter in political life to ensure stability. Consequently, it established shared sovereignty and granted extensive powers to the monarch.

The Cortes were bicameral, consisting of the Senate and the Congress of Deputies. While the constitution did not initially fix the type of voting, the law of 1878 established census suffrage, which was later... Continue reading "Spanish Constitution of 1876 and the Restoration System" »

Antipositivism in Sociology

Sociology, as a non-empirical field, studies social action through subjective means. If society is viewed as separate from individuals, the state might be perceived as totalitarian. However, the state is the highest form of social organization, while society represents the lifestyle and organization of individuals. The state aims to defend common interests, and individuals are subordinate neither to society nor to the state.

The Interplay of Law and Society

Laws originate from society, making all legal phenomena social phenomena. However, not all social phenomena are legal. Examples of social phenomena include fashion, good manners, and sports. Legal sociology explores the relationship between social structure and... Continue reading "Understanding Social Action: A Weberian Perspective" »

For social work (SW) groups, the research object is the group dimension as an area in which to observe and experience the basic dimensions of social life. The analysis of groups as a research area has highlighted the social roles that primary and secondary groups enforce, and how, through the group experience, skills necessary for social life are internalized, from communication skills to the management of teamwork and leadership. Once these capabilities are discussed, techniques are designed for people to recover in difficult circumstances through social interaction. In this sense, SW groups can be defined as that specialty within SW which aims to recover and strengthen, through group interaction and group activities, the social skills of... Continue reading "Social Work with Groups: Enhancing Social Skills" »

The Habsburg Political Model and Union of Kingdoms

The Habsburg monarchy was a multinational monarchy that developed the model established by the Catholic Monarchs (RRCC): an authoritarian monarchy with a growing concentration of power.

Organs of Government: The Polysynodial System

The Habsburgs ruled directly but delegated authority of major or minor validity, leading to growing centralization and bureaucracy. This system of government is known as Polysynodial.

Key Institutions and Roles

• The Monarch: The center of all power, supported by the Court.
• The Councils (Consejos): Central to the Polysynodial system.
• The Secretaries: Links between the King and the Councils, holding significant power.
• The Viceroys: The King's personal representatives in non-

The Principles of Free Trade

Free trade is the economic doctrine that advocates for no state intervention in international trade. This approach allows the flow of goods to be governed by the comparative advantages of each country and the competitiveness of enterprises. It assumes that this will result in a proper distribution of goods and services and an optimal allocation of economic resources worldwide.

The Transition from Mercantilism to Liberalism

The relationship between the state and the economy during the nineteenth century was guided by the progressive dismantling of mercantilist practices developed by the absolute state and influenced by the manorial system. In theory, economic liberalism proposed the withdrawal of the state from the... Continue reading "Economic Liberalism and the Evolution of Free Trade" »

Understanding Contingency Leadership Theories

Contingency theories aim to identify variables or contingent situations that make one leadership style more appropriate than another. Effective leadership requires more than just business instinct; it demands an understanding of various factors within an organization and the ability to adapt one's approach accordingly. Several prominent models exist within this framework.

Fiedler's Contingency Model

Fiedler's model identifies three key situational factors that determine leadership effectiveness:

• Leader-Member Relations: This indicates the degree of trust, security, and respect subordinates have for their leader.
• Task Structure: This refers to the degree to which work assignments are systematized and

Labor Progress
The working world has undergone significant changes since 1880. The growth of capitalism marked a special industrial growth. The spread of socialism favored the constitution of a new unionism that was much more massive. By increasing its capacity for precision, strikes could mobilize a mile of workers, imposing the practice of collective negotiation between unions and employers to set wages and working conditions. Additionally, many unions began to demand accountability from employers and ensure labor legislation. As a result, the first labor laws emerged:

• Work of Children and Women: In the nineteenth century, night work for women was forbidden, and a mandatory process after childbirth was established.
• Insurance Required: In 1908,

Anarchism: A Dominant Force in Spain

Anarchism was the mainstream ideology in Spain during this period. The Federation of Workers of the Spanish Region (FTRE) was founded in 1881, with Anselmo Lorenzo as a prominent figure. The new federation augmented its membership and developed significant union activism and demands.

Internal disagreements and the continuing repression of the worker and peasant movement led a part of anarchism to choose "direct action," i.e., the revolutionary or violent strike and attack against the ruling classes. Anarchism was accused of being behind the Black Hand. The authorities' forceful response only fueled a cycle of actions. The defining moment of this spiral was the Montjuïc Trials. Direct action allowed the ruling... Continue reading "Political and Social Ideologies in Late 19th Century Spain" »