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

Ethics

A set of moral norms governing the conduct of a person in any area of life.

Moral

A code of behavior that human societies are endowed with, defining what is right and wrong.

Moral Law

The laws established by each society, affecting the entire nation.

Religious Morality

It depends on each person's religion.

Social Morality

Rules society imposes in areas that are neither legal nor religious.

Family Morality

For example, rules parents impose.

Personal Morality (Children)

For example, whether a child allows themselves to be bothered or not in class.

Counselor

Equivalent to a minister, but specific to each Autonomous Community.

Historical Note: French Revolution and Women's Rights

During the French Revolution (1789), under Louis XVI, a declaration of women'... Continue reading "Civic and Ethical Foundations: Key Concepts Defined" »

Linguistic Diversity in the World

Between four and seven thousand languages are spoken globally, yet fewer than two hundred states exist. This leads to the claim that most states are multilingual. Language barriers do not always correspond with political or administrative boundaries. The highest density of languages is found in Papua New Guinea, with seven hundred languages. To a lesser extent, the Iberian Peninsula features languages of international communication, such as French and English, which are considered the languages par excellence internationally.

As a consequence of choosing a particular language for international use, several attempts were made to create artificial languages, like Esperanto. The emergence of pidgins is due to the... Continue reading "Global Linguistic Diversity and Language Families" »

The English Model of Industrial Development

The English Model: Britain's pioneering status established it as a world power until 1914. The English model can be summarized under three main headings:

• Resources: Human resources and an increased population drove demand and provided manpower for the industry.
• Energy and Raw Materials: Abundant wool, iron ore, and coal provided a significant advantage over poorly endowed countries.
• Food: Bumper harvests and surplus produce occurred between 1740 and 1780.

Key Industrial Sectors

• Textiles and Steel: These became the classical sectors of national development.
• Thermal Innovations: Innovations were constant; the Watt steam engine became one of the most important inventions in history.

The Spread of the Industrial

The Social and Political Commitment of Miguel Hernández

Miguel Hernández's solutions in his writings can be divided into stages:

• The first stage expresses revolutionary acts of peasants and communists.
• The second stage begins with a poetry imbued with social protest.

The Farmer of More Air curses farmers and brandishes communist symbols.

The Ray Doesn't Stop shows loving and non-conformist introspection with a wicked society.

Wind of the People is optimistic, enthusiastic, and combative, moving by fraternity and fruitful blood. It has an epic tone but never ignores the lyric, with a clear and transparent way to be understood.

Man is a Hunter is the pessimistic version of the general war. The verse is large and painful, contemplating the defeat on... Continue reading "Miguel Hernández: Social Commitment, Images, and Symbols" »

Psychoanalysis

Psychoanalysis is a discipline founded by Sigmund Freud, and within it, one can distinguish three levels:

• A) A research method that essentially brings evidence of the unconscious meaning of words, actions, and imaginary productions (dreams, fantasies, delusions) of an individual.
• B) A psychotherapeutic method based on this research and characterized by the interpretation of resistance, transference, and desire.
• C) A set of psychological and psychopathological theories that systematize the data provided by the psychoanalytic method of investigation and treatment.

Defense Mechanisms

Defense mechanisms are unconscious psychological strategies brought into play by various entities to cope with reality and to maintain self-image.

• Repression:

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

Unit 7: The Second Spanish Republic

7.1 Social Problems and the Constitution of 1931

Following the resignation of Primo de Rivera, King Alfonso XIII commissioned General Dámaso Berenguer to form a government to restore the 1876 system. On August 17, 1930, the Pact of San Sebastián was signed, establishing an interim government to implement the Republic and grant autonomy to Catalonia. After Berenguer resigned, Admiral Juan Bautista Aznar attempted to restore constitutional normality through elections, which the Republicans won decisively. Consequently, Alfonso XIII went into exile in Rome.

The new Constitution was approved by the Cortes on December 9, 1931. It was a progressive, non-conservative document. Its most important features included:... Continue reading "The Second Spanish Republic: History, Reforms, and Conflict" »

The Peace of the Victors

The peace process involved the victors (Britain, France, USA, and Italy) and excluded the defeated nations and Russia. The U.S. position advocated for peace based on universal principles, including law, justice, respect for nationalities, freedom of commerce, disarmament, and democracy. Conversely, the European powers prioritized their own national interests and demanded significant compensation from the losers.

Treaties of Peace

• Treaty of Versailles (Germany): Established sole responsibility for the war.
  • Territorial Terms: Return of Alsace and Lorraine to France, eastern Poland to Russia, and distribution of African colonies among the victors.
  • Economic Regulations: Payment of reparations, 15-year control of coal mines,

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)" »