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

Level of Democratization in Iran

The definition of an illiberal democracy is a democracy in which so-called democratic processes, such as elections, take place, but these are accompanied by limitations on civil liberties.

While Iran may have started out as an illiberal democracy, several factors point to significant repression:

• Prevalent executions
• Forcing women to wear the hijab
• Ill treatment of homosexuals (often officially denied as existing in Iran)
• Silence imposed upon religious minorities (such as Sunnis and Baha'is)
• Repression of political opposition
• Censorship of media, internet, and culture
• Oversight by the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance

Political protests, such as the Green Revolution and the 2018 protests against the Ayatollah, may... Continue reading "Iran's Illiberal Democracy Structure and Civil Liberties" »

Classical Approaches to Social Change

Auguste Comte (1798-1857)

• Social Dynamics: The processes that operate within society.
• Social Statics: The study of the parts of society and their relations.

Herbert Spencer (1850-1903)

• Structures: Relationships that shape a society.
• Functions: The role played by each social group within the social system.

Basic Sociological Laws

• Laws of Coexistence: Why certain social phenomena invariably appear together.
• Inheritance Laws: Why certain social phenomena precede others.

Understanding Technological Change

Partial Technological Change

Occurs when there is a change in perception, use, or characteristics of a given technology:

• Change in the social perception of a given technology.
• Change in the types of uses of a given technology.

The Gilded Age: Capitalism, Corruption, and Tycoons

American finance fueled a series of peaks in American capitalism, characterized by intense moments of expansion and recession. This era of big business often fostered widespread corruption.

Defining the Gilded Age

The government strongly favored modernization and the rapid accumulation of wealth. This period was famously dubbed The Gilded Age by Mark Twain, who observed: “The golden gleam of the gilded surface hides the cheapness of the metal underneath.”

Economic Transformation and Rural Displacement

By the end of this golden period, ordinary farmers and veterans were increasingly displaced. This displacement was driven by financiers seeking to consolidate land and increase the size of their... Continue reading "The Gilded Age: American Capitalism, Corruption, and the Robber Barons" »

TEMA 3

TEMA 3 Renaissance 1: The decline of the M.A, divided in: The end of the 100 years war, the peasant revolts and church schism. The beginning of the new period in Europe: technological development like printing press, discovery of America, military development. In England: Tudor dynasty, the break with Rome, union between Wales and England (1536).

Humanism:

Reaction against M.A., the classical as models, critical attitude towards the court, centrality of man -> heliocentrism, ideal renaissance man -> justice, prudence, honor, pledge, foundation of universities, education is central, interest in man history...

The Reformation:

The Catholics vs. Protestants. - Theological issues: Basis of Salvation. - Protestantism: faith + free interpretation... Continue reading "The Renaissance: Literature, Theater, and Ideology" »

Anglo-Saxon Administrative Model: USA

• More flexible, without a rigid hierarchical pyramid structure.
• Composed of various secretarial organs, which can be:
  • Unipersonal (e.g., the Presidency)
  • Collegial (e.g., the Cabinet)
  The distinction lies in the number of individuals forming the organ.
• These secretariats typically do not possess rule-making power, unlike ministers in the French model.
• Peripheral Administration: Belongs to the national executive but exercises power only within a specific territory at its level.

French Administrative Model

• France operates as a unitary state, where political power primarily resides at the national level, under a semi-presidential system.

National Level

• Executive Branch: Comprises the Prime Minister (e.g., Édouard Philippe)

Hofstede's Cultural Dimensions Theory

• Individualism vs. Collectivism: Refers to how personal needs and goals are prioritized compared to the needs and goals of the group or organization.
• Masculinity vs. Femininity: Masculine societies tend to have more distinct social gender roles compared to feminine cultures.
• Uncertainty Avoidance: Indicates how comfortable people are with ambiguity and change. Low avoidance means comfort with change; high avoidance means preference for known systems.
• Power Distance: The degree to which people accept and expect unequal power distribution in society and are comfortable with influencing upwards.
• Time Perspective (Long-Term Orientation): Focuses on long-term planning for the future versus short-term perspectives.

It is generally accepted that most people spend a long time in front of the TV, especially consuming reality shows. In this discussion, we will focus on how these shows might be harmful for viewers.

Probably the most important issue is that these shows are watched by many people, perhaps because they do not require high concentration or previous knowledge about any field. Many people find reality shows entertaining. Interestingly, many people agree on the idea of watching how famous people live with each other or do little games in order to compete. Although I am not willing to spend hours in front of the TV watching it, many people find it more entertaining than going out for instance.

Nevertheless, there is an important issue. There has been... Continue reading "The Harmful Effects of Reality Shows on Young Viewers" »

Oxymoron

Definition:

An oxymoron is a literary device that combines contradictory terms to create a thought-provoking effect. It presents contrasting concepts in a way that reveals a deeper, often complex, meaning. This device encourages a deeper understanding and exploration of semantic layers in writing.

Example:

Sometimes we cherish things of little value.

He possessed a cold fire in his eyes.

Paradox

Definition:

A paradox in literature involves the use of seemingly contradictory ideas that, when considered together, hold significant value. The power of a paradox lies in its ability to reveal a deeper meaning that isn't immediately apparent, offering surprising insights upon reflection.

Example:

High walls do not make a palace; full coffers do not... Continue reading "Literary Devices: Oxymoron, Paradox, Fallacy, and Satire" »

Rhetoric and Poetica

As a general concept, rhetoric refers to the art of speaking or writing correctly and elegantly to move, delight, or persuade. Different authors have defined it in various ways:

• Cockcroft: Art of persuasive speech
• Lopez Eyre: Art of properly using language
• Arist: Ability to achieve something
• Quintilian: Science to work and take care of the ability to speak
• Protagoras: Man as a measure of all things

The natural origin of rhetoric is legal and political. Its roots can be traced back to Syracuse in the 5th century BC when eloquence became necessary to persuade during land expropriation disputes. Rhetoric was the capacity for oratory, the art of persuading. The first discourse on this topic was written by Corax of Syracuse, but it... Continue reading "The Art of Persuasion: A Guide to Rhetoric from Ancient Greece to Modern Advertising" »