State, Nation, Nationalism, and Political Systems Defined
The Concept of the State
Definition of the State
The State is an organization exercising power over a group of people in a given territory.
Origin of the State
Its origin dates back to the modern era when kings began to centralize power through:
- A standing army
- Bureaucracy
- Diplomacy
Classes of States
- Uninational: When a state coincides with a single nation.
- Plurinational: When a state encompasses several nations.
Elements of a State
- Group of People: The population over whom power is exercised.
- Territory: The
Understanding Social Movements: Theories and Dynamics
A social movement is a collective, organized effort to promote or resist change in society. Herbert Blumer defines it as “a collective enterprise seeking to establish a new order of life,” arising from unrest and driven by hopes for a better system.
Major Theories of Social Movements
Understanding why and how these movements emerge and function is explained through various theories:
1. Deprivation Theory
This theory suggests that social movements arise when people feel deprived of something they
Read MoreUnderstanding Popular Culture: Media, Consumerism, and Critical Theory
Popular Culture: Defining Human Connection
Popular culture is the way humanity relates to the world, encompassing everything we do, think, and value.
The Plurality of Culture
Plurality expresses, first of all, an accumulation of human experiences that is our shared heritage. It teaches us different ways to be social and to create the future. Its main feature is that people are the origin and end of its production; it is made by and for the people. It is through this plurality that a group constructs
Read More19th Century Spanish Political Factions and Their Ideologies
Political Groupings in 19th Century Spain
The nineteenth-century political parties were not as we conceive them today. They were not compact and homogeneous groups with a well-defined ideology. Instead, these groups revolved more around notable civil or military personalities. Rather than organized parties, they were currents of opinion or cliques linked by personal relationships or financial interests.
The Moderates
The Moderates defined themselves as people of order. They were a heterogeneous group
Read MoreInternational Labour Organization: Mandate & History
International Labour Organization
The International Labour Organization (ILO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations whose primary mandate is the promotion of social justice and improved living and working conditions for workers, through respect for fundamental human rights and internationally recognized labour standards. The ILO was created in 1919 by the Treaty of Versailles, alongside the League of Nations, as a result of the peace process following the First World War. From its inception,
Read MoreEuropean Union: Treaties, Institutions, and Key Milestones
Key European Organizations and Treaties
Treaty on European Union (TUE)
The Treaty on European Union, also known as the Maastricht Treaty, established the European Union and laid the groundwork for its political and economic integration.
European Economic Community (EEC)
The European Economic Community was a regional economic integration organization created by the Treaty of Rome in 1957. Its primary objective was to foster economic integration among its member states.