The Holy Alliance and 19th Century European Politics
The Holy Alliance and Attempts to Restore the Old Order
Following Napoleon’s defeat, European powers convened in Vienna to reshape the continent. This conference, involving Austria, Russia, and Prussia, aimed to establish a new map of Europe and a political system underpinned by the ideology of The Holy Alliance.
The New Map of Europe
The redrawing of Europe’s map was justified by Napoleon’s defeat but was also influenced by the interests of countries like Austria, Prussia, Russia, and England.
The
Read MoreUnderstanding the European Commission and Council
The European Commission
The EU’s executive body, responsible for proposing and implementing EU laws, monitoring the treaties, and the day-to-day running of the EU.
Key Responsibilities
- Proposing laws to the European Parliament and the Council of the EU.
- Managing the EU’s budget and allocating funding.
- Ensuring that EU law is complied with (together with the Court of Justice).
Enforcement of EU Law
- First, it launches a legal process called the “infringement procedure”: sending the government an
The 1978 Spanish Constitution: Autonomy and Key Principles
The 1978 Constitution and the Rule of Autonomy
After the elections, the political groups represented in Congress chose seven members to write the first draft of the future constitution. This draft was discussed in the chamber, and a commission drafted the final text, which was submitted for final congressional approval. The text was ready to be put to a referendum on December 6, 1978, and was promulgated on December 27, marking the end of the transition.
Values of the Constitution
The core principles
Read MoreInternational Relations Theories: Assumptions and Problems
Idealism/Liberal Internationalism and Francis Fukuyama: Analyzing Assumptions, Contradictions, and Problems
Introduction
Liberal internationalism, rooted in idealism, supports a global order based on democratic governance, multilateral cooperation, and the rule of law. It draws on the belief that democracies, driven by shared values and institutions, are more peaceful and cooperative in international affairs. Francis Fukuyama’s famous thesis in The End of History and the Last Man (1992) builds on
Spain’s Democratic Transition: 1975-1978
Spain’s Democratic Transition (1975-1978)
The transition from dictatorship to democracy in Spain, known as *The Transition*, was a difficult period spanning from 1975 to 1978. This passage from organic democracy to real democracy is characterized by the constitution of 1978. The Spanish transition was made possible by the following:
- Historical memory: The mistakes of the Second Republic and the sufferings of the dictatorship.
- International context: A favorable climate for the introduction of democracy
Democracy Under Siege: Challenges and Paths to Renewal
Democracy has been idealized as the political system that guarantees equitable participation, social justice, and individual freedom. However, a critical and historical analysis reveals that its real practice often falls short of this ideal. This essay will explore how factors such as cancel culture, the Eurocentric critique of democracy, civil disobedience, the concentration of media power, and global phenomena like globalization and cosmopolitan democracy impact both the perception and functioning
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