Public Sphere, Media Effects, and Global News Dynamics
The Public Sphere: Origins and Evolution
The origin of the public sphere traces back to the ‘enlightened’ bourgeois salons. It was significantly influenced by the capital-driven mass media. The public sphere sets the social conditions for a rational debate about public issues, conducted by individuals willing to let arguments, and not stations, determine decisions. It represents a communicative ideal: an inclusive, critical debate, free of constrictions, where contributors consider each other as
Read MoreSovereignty: Concepts of Bodin and Hobbes
The Concept of Sovereignty
Popular sovereignty is a concept often debated. Today, the concept of sovereignty is sometimes seen as in crisis or inappropriate, especially when considering public international law and justified claims of universal human rights. International law, by its nature, seeks supranational universal validity.
The validity of international law can conflict with the recognition of state sovereignty. For example, a country might refuse to sign or complete a treaty because it clashes
Read MoreEU Institutions: Roles and Functions
European Commission
- Role: Executive administration for the Union, originally granted the sole right to propose legislation under the treaties.
- The power of initiative is influenced by policy formulation and guidance from the Council of Ministers and the European Council.
- The Commission possesses its own powers of decision.
Commission President
The Commission President is proposed by the European Council to the European Parliament (EP) using Qualified Majority Voting (QMV) after consultations, taking
Read MoreMonarchies and Unification in 15th Century Europe
15th Century European Monarchies
During the second half of the 15th century, modern national monarchies emerged in Europe, highlighting the power of the sovereign against noble political powers and the theoretical authority of the papacy and the Holy Roman Empire. These monarchies tended to develop unifying efforts, often through alliances against common enemies. For example, France under Louis XI and England under Henry VIII pursued such strategies.
The Spanish Case: The Catholic Monarchs
In Spain,
Read MorePresidential Powers in France: Constitutional Rights
Article 16: Emergency Powers
The President of France can invoke Article 16 of the Constitution, which grants special powers during exceptional situations or crises.
- Conditions for Invocation: A serious and immediate threat that prevents the proper functioning of constitutional public authorities.
- Consultation: The President must consult the Prime Minister, the Presidents of the Chambers, and the Constitutional Council.
- Public Address: The President must inform the public through a message.
- Constitutional
Spanish Civil War Timeline: 1936-1939
1936
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