Political Concepts and Ideologies
Sovereign State
A sovereign state is a political entity that independently decides its constitution, political regime (monarchy, republic), and territorial organization (autonomy or federal state). It is an independent state politically and legally, though less so economically, legally, and socially.
Neoliberalism
Neoliberalism is an economic ideology also known as corporate capitalism, corporate globalization, globalization, or even suicide economy. It currently dominates the global economy.
Anti-globalization
Anti-globalization encompasses protests across continents by those negatively affected by neoliberal globalization. It unites diverse associations, sometimes opposing, but overlapping in their denunciation of globalization.
Capitalism
Capitalism is a political, social, and economic context where large companies and wealthy individuals control property, including capital assets.
Globalization
Globalization is a process of economic, technological, social, and cultural integration, fostering communication and interdependence among countries, uniting markets, societies, and cultures through social, economic, and political policies.
Politics
Politics involves the interest and ability to organize social projects, resulting from social demands and aiming to recreate democracy by involving citizens in public life.
Social Exclusion
Social exclusion is the rupture between individuals and society, where groups cannot exercise fundamental rights or face serious inequities.
Nationalized Bank
Nationalized banks are those that become public property of the state.
Austerity
Austerity is an economic regime of public spending cuts during times of crisis.
Totalitarianism
Totalitarianism is a political regime with strong intervention in all walks of national life, concentrating state power in a small group or political party (dictatorship).
Information Society
The information society is a post-industrial model extending from the internet and electronic technologies, where knowledge is the critical value.
National States
National states are political organizations where a country agrees to a unit of government.
Patriarchy
Patriarchy is the male-dominated family, social, and cultural situation; a culture of male domination.
Network State
A network state is a political organization connected to, influencing, and being influenced by other states.
Xenophobia
Xenophobia is the hatred and rejection of foreigners, ranging from overt rejection and scorn to threats, assaults, and murders.
Racism
Racism is discrimination based on race, skin tone, or other physical characteristics, considering some superior to others. It results in the reduction or cancellation of human rights of those discriminated against, as defined by international conventions.
Values
Values are the real goals and preferences defining ethical behavior.
Social Structure
Social structure is the particular organization of each society, including economic organizations (large, medium, and small enterprises, autonomous economic sectors).
Socialization
Socialization is the process of learning and incorporating the culture of society through agents like family, peers, school, and religion.
Gender
Gender is the set of preferences, attributes, and roles, distinct from sex. It is a social construction, while sex is often used as a pretext to deepen the gender gap.
Statement
A statement is an international legal document with less ability to prevail in the organization of each country, having little legal standing but serving as a moral and political tool.
International Treaties and Conventions
International treaties and conventions are legally binding agreements between signatory countries, which can be bilateral or multilateral.
Human Rights
Human rights are freedoms, powers, institutions, or claims related to primary or basic goods, guaranteed to every person for a decent life, independent of status, sex, sexual orientation, ethnicity, or nationality.
Liberalism and Conservatism
Liberalism emphasizes individual rights over collective rights, positioning itself between conservative and social democratic proposals.
Social Socialism
Social socialism emerged after the 19th-century revolutions, reflecting the modern world and historical struggles of the poor against the rich.
Nationalism
Nationalism emphasizes the rights and cultural identity of a political community, arising from the dialectic between state and nation, central and peripheral power.
Environmentalism
Environmentalism is the critical theory of industrial civilization’s destruction of nature, advocating for sustainable growth and harmony with nature, maintaining balance between population, environment, technology, and social organization.
Feminism
Feminism is the social and political theory advocating for real equality between women and men, encompassing theory, social movement, policy specialization, and individual actions for freedom and rights.
Political Action
Political action is part of the everyday social construction of reality, seen as part of historical evolution, essentially dialectical and dynamic.
Opposing Ideologies to the Welfare State
(A) Neo-conservative ideology views the welfare state as paternalistic and intrusive on individual freedoms. (B) Liberal thinking sees the welfare state as a result of industrialized societies’ needs. (C) Social position supports the welfare state for justice, equality, and human development. (D) Communist power views the welfare state as wealth distribution and social control. (E) Anti-globalization argues for tight controls on the banking system to redistribute profits.
The Future of the Welfare State
The future of the welfare state depends on economic conditions, resource redistribution, employment policies, technological changes, social consensus, the third sector, and the social organization of knowledge. It is closely tied to economic models and redistributive choices.
Roles of Civil Society and Mass Communication in Human Rights
Society is influenced by economic, political, social, and cultural factors affecting human rights. Gender, social class, culture/ethnicity, and age are key factors influencing human rights development and enjoyment.