European Social Movements and National Unifications
European Social and Labor Movements
Key Political Parties and Organizations
- SPD (German Social Democratic Party): Founded in 1875, inspired by Marxism, the SPD promoted the creation of national unions.
- CNT (National Labor Confederation): A significant labor confederation.
- Labor Party: The standard-bearer of socialist thought in Great Britain, representing employment or employees.
- PSOE (Partido Socialista Obrero Español): Held a radical stance against class collaboration with the bourgeoisie and was
Auguste Comte’s Positivism: Philosophy & Stages
Auguste Comte and Positivism
Auguste Comte, born in Montpellier, denied violence and defended the need “to consolidate all power in the hands of those who possess it, no matter who,” provided it aligned with the progressive ideals of the Enlightenment, and not with monarchical reaction.
Comte’s Philosophical Stance
Under the impact of the French Revolution, Comte came into contact with utopian socialism and eventually became pragmatic. He distinguished between two interpretations of the dialectic:
Read MorePolitical Participation in Modern Democracies
Political Participation in Representative Democracy
The original meaning of the word participation in Latin was to take part in a deal and communicate something. Political participation refers to taking part in the election of rulers. It is a process by which political power is allocated and distributed by the public, and through which the electoral process voluntarily communicates policy preferences from citizens to politicians and the general public.
Forms of Political Participation
Political participation
Read MoreLiberalism’s Evolution & Durkheim’s Social Theories
Key Concepts in Liberalism and Sociology
Major Events Shaping Liberalism
- 1789: The French Revolution and the Ratification of the American Constitution.
- 1848: Revolutions across Europe, beginning in France, marking the end of Absolutism.
- 1859: J.S. Mill publishes On Liberty, establishing standards for the relationship between authority and individual freedom. Mill emphasized individuality as a prerequisite for higher pleasures and criticized past attempts to defend it, noting how democratic ideals could
Understanding Global Cultural Dimensions
Understanding Culture: Visible and Invisible Dimensions
Culture represents the shared assumptions, values, and beliefs of a group of people, which result in observable behaviors. Developing a close relationship with a person from another culture can greatly assist you in understanding and working within that culture.
Culture can be understood through two main dimensions:
- Invisible Dimension: Encompasses assumptions, values, and beliefs.
- Visible Dimension: Includes behavior and speech.
These two dimensions
Read MoreBalancing Choices: Understanding Key Life Decisions
Student Living Choices: Alone or With Friends?
When students start university, they often face a significant choice: living alone or sharing accommodation with friends. This decision is crucial, as both options present distinct advantages and disadvantages, depending on an individual’s lifestyle and personality.
Living Alone: Key Considerations
While offering independence, living alone comes with specific challenges:
- Higher Costs: All bills and rent must be covered by one person, which can be particularly