Foundational Concepts in Sociology
Sociology: An Introduction
Sociology is the intellectual discipline concerned with developing reliable and systematic knowledge about social relationships and their outcomes.
Object of Sociology
Sociologists study human society and social behavior through the examination of groups that people form. These groups include families, communities, governments, social organizations, and religious and political associations. Sociologists also investigate how these groups originate and continue to evolve.
Sociology
Read MoreDynamics of International Conflict: Theories and Solutions
This policy, in turn, has major implications not just for intrastate conflicts but also for terrorism, crime, and other international security problems. However, this fact alone does not mean that such interventions will fail. Instead, stakeholders undertaking a more self-interested intervention must work diligently to bolster the legitimacy and credibility of their efforts in three basic ways:
- By increasing multilateral contributions to their efforts.
- By securing the endorsement of the United Nations
Francoist Spain: Economic and Social Transformation (1957-1975)
The signing of the Concordat with the Vatican, the Madrid Pact with the U.S., and Spain’s entry into the UN and other international organizations were crucial for the Franco government. The influx of credits and loans alleviated some economic problems, and the government, without altering the regime’s core principles, sought to overcome the economic isolation of previous years.
In 1957, Franco, advised by Carrero Blanco, formed a new government that included members of Opus Dei. This move intensified
Read MoreKey Concepts in Linguistics: Language, Principles, and Semantics
Understanding Core Linguistic Concepts
Language: Innate or Acquired?
The question of whether language is innate or acquired has been a central debate in linguistics, with several prominent theories attempting to answer it.
- Noam Chomsky posited that language is hereditary and programmed into our genetic code. He championed the existence of a universal grammar, a set of innate linguistic principles shared by all the world’s languages.
- In contrast, Jean Piaget argued that language is acquired. He believed
Spanish Liberalism: Principles, Factions, and Historical Impact
Defining Liberalism: Freedom, Equality, Property
Liberalism is a political doctrine centered on defending individual freedom, equality before the law, and private property. Its first significant manifestation in Spain occurred during the Cortes de Cádiz, where the term ‘liberal’ emerged in opposition to absolutism, though precedents existed in enlightened reforms.
Liberals believed in the happiness and aspirations of all individuals, in material progress, and in individual freedom. They therefore
Read MoreThe Enlightenment and Its Impact on Spanish Society
The Enlightenment: Enlightened Despotism
Of the French intellectual movement that developed in eighteenth-century Europe, it focused on the strength of human reason and the triumph of progress against ignorance and fanaticism. It is often referred to as the century of reason or lights. In Spain, the Enlightenment was illustrated rather modestly, both in its ideology and in the changes in practice introduced. The main figures were Jovellanos, Campomanes, Olavide, and the Count of Aranda. This movement
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