Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and exercises for Social sciences for Secondary education

Rigid Constitutional Reform Procedure (Article 168 CE)

This more complicated procedure is required to change fundamental rights, preliminary titles, or the provisions concerning the Crown within the Spanish Constitution (CE). The process demands a high degree of consensus and time.

Steps for Article 168 Reform

1. The reform proposal must be approved by a two-thirds (2/3) majority of both the Congress and the Senate, leading to the immediate dissolution of Parliament.
2. The newly elected Chambers must ratify the decision and proceed to examine the new constitution, which must be approved by a majority of two-thirds of both Houses.
3. The reform, once approved by Parliament, shall be submitted to a mandatory referendum for ratification.

Historically, achieving...

1. The Rise of National Languages in Culture and Literature

Following the Crusades and the subsequent weakening of feudalism, nations such as Spain, France, and England emerged in Europe with centralized governments and defined territories. These political shifts were accompanied by the unification of language, leading to the rise of national languages. This process resulted in a linguistic grouping of two primary branches: the Romance branch and the Germanic branch.

2. Key Literary Events of the Middle Ages

Medieval literature focused on themes of life, religious belief, social customs, and love. Notable developments include:

• The Epic: Four major works defined medieval epic poetry.
• Mystical Literature: A movement that emerged as a reaction against

The Concept of the Industrial Revolution

The Industrial Revolution is defined as the appearance of a new economic system which involved the use of new sources of energy (steam and coal) that helped boost complex machines capable of producing much cheaper and faster. These machines replaced traditional tools and animals as draft power and moved the production from traditional shops to large factories.

Origins in the Textile Sector

The Industrial Revolution emerged in England over a long process that began in the textile sector in the second half or last third of the 18th century. This process is related to new methods of production, such as the domestic system that arose to prevent the control of the unions.

The Global Spread of Industrialization

Later,...

The Concept of Democracy

Democracy is a form of organizing groups of people, characterized by the principle that the ownership of power resides in all its members. Decisions are made to reflect the collective will of the group.

Strictly speaking, democracy is a form of government—the organization of the state—in which collective decisions are taken by the people through participatory mechanisms that directly or indirectly confer legitimacy to representatives. Broadly speaking, democracy is a form of social interaction in which members are free and equal, and social relations are established according to agreed-upon mechanisms (contractual relations).

Classical Classification of Government Forms

Democracy is also defined from the classical classification...

South African Terminology

Acacia: A small tree with white or yellow flowers.

Acting: Temporarily doing the job of another person.

Afrikaans: A South African language developed from the 17th century.

Afrikaner: A South African descended from the Dutch who speaks Afrikaans.

Amen: A word used to show sincere approval of something that has just been said (used, for example, at the end of a prayer).

Authority: The power to give orders to other people and make them obey.

Ban (v): To forbid someone by law from doing or saying something.

Banning area: The area where, by law, a banned person must stay.

Bantu: A word used by white South Africans for black people.

Black Consciousness: A South African organization, led by Stephen Biko, which believed that black...

The Dawn of the Contemporary Era

The transition from the Modern Era to the Contemporary Era occurred in the late 18th century.

Political Transformation: The French Revolution

The French Revolution brought significant political changes. Absolute monarchies were replaced by republics and limited monarchies as forms of government. Liberalism substituted absolutism as the dominant ideology.

Socio-Economic Shifts: The Industrial Revolution

The Industrial Revolution transformed society from an estate system to a stratified class society. Cities grew, capitalism became the dominant economic system, and the industrial economy began to displace the agricultural economy.

Capitalism and Economic Systems

Capitalism:

An economic system that aims to invest capital

Principles of the Educational System

• Quality and Equity: Focus on diversity, inclusive education, and education as a public service.

Objectives of the Education System

• Improve school performance and ensure success in compulsory education.
• Increase enrollment in kindergarten, primary, and training cycles.
• Boost baccalaureate and professional training completion rates.
• Promote democratic citizenship and lifelong learning.
• Strengthen equity to align with EU standards (LOE framework).

Dimensions of Equity

• Equality of Resources: Compensates for unequal capabilities through compensatory policies.
• Equal Opportunities: Addresses inequality of circumstances (ethnicity, gender) via positive discrimination.
• Equality of Results: Focuses on achieving true equality

European Political Upheavals: 1789–1848

Causes of Liberal Revolts

Causes included financial crises, political marginalization, and demands for tax reform. Surveys conducted by liberal activists and soldiers aimed to stop absolutism in various countries.

Waves of Revolution

• 1830: Revolutions affected Europe. Success was seen in Central Europe, and Belgium became independent of Holland.
• 1848: Revolts involving workers, unions, and political parties. A popular movement started in France, leading to a reversion to authoritarian monarchy.

Key Concepts

• Holy Alliance: A common European army established to oppose liberal revolutions.
• Suffrage Censitari (Censitary Suffrage): The right to vote was restricted to those who possessed property.
• Universal Suffrage:

The Crisis of the Ancien Régime

France faced a severe economic crisis that impacted both the nobility and the clergy. As King Louis XVI increased taxes, the populace suffered. This unrest was fueled by Enlightenment ideals, which emphasized that knowledge and reason were essential to achieving truth and progress.

Key Philosophical Influences

• Montesquieu (1748): Advocated for the division of powers to prevent absolute dictatorship.
• Rousseau (1762): Promoted national sovereignty and the "general will," arguing that the people should hold the power to vote and govern.

The Failure of Reform

The bourgeoisie sought change within the existing political structure. King Louis XVI and his minister, Turgot, attempted to address the economic crisis by proposing...

Papal Social Teachings: Key Documents (1891-1991)

1. Rerum Novarum (1891)

Author: Pope Leo XIII

Context:

Addressed the Church's involvement in political affairs. Contextualized by pressing social issues, particularly the scandalous gap between rich and poor.

Key Themes:

• Social justice and family
• Workers' rights and dignity of labor
• Role of the state in social welfare
• Duties of employers
• Defense of private property

2. Quadragesimo Anno (1931)

Author: Pope Pius XI

Context:

Commemorating 40 years since Rerum Novarum.

Key Themes:

• Promotes harmony between social classes
• Calls for equitable distribution of goods based on social justice
• Disapproves of the effects of greed

3. Radio Message: Solemnity (1941)

Author: Pope Pius XII

Context:

Second World War.

Key Themes:

• Promotes