The Evolution of the State: From Absolutism to Social Democracy
Hobbes vs. Rousseau: The Nature of Man and Society
Thomas Hobbes believed that “man is a wolf to man.” He argued that human beings are inherently self-centered and live in a chaotic state of constant struggle. Reason, according to Hobbes, compels individuals to form an agreement, establishing a strong authority to maintain order. Only a powerful leader, chosen freely by all and capable of enforcing laws, can create a peaceful society.
In contrast, Jean-Jacques Rousseau believed in the inherent goodness
Read MoreHarmony in Nature: Interconnectedness of Four Orders
Harmony in Nature: Interconnectedness of Four Orders
The concept of interconnectedness and mutual fulfillment emphasizes the harmonious coexistence of various entities within nature. The “Four Orders of Nature” refer to:
- Material Order: This includes non-living entities like soil, air, and water, which provide the essential physical foundation for living organisms.
- Plant Order: Plants depend on the material order for nutrients and, in return, contribute oxygen and food, maintaining the balance of ecosystems.
French Revolution: Societal Impact and the Press
The French Revolution: Causes and Key Events
During the reign of Louis XV, many political and economic failures reduced the popular prestige of the Crown. Despite his successes, Louis XVI was unable to solve the inherited problems, which he would have to face in the context of the revolution. To understand another determining factor of the revolution, we must look at the division of society into estates: nobility, clergy, and the Third Estate (which included everyone from the bourgeoisie to the peasantry,
Read MoreExpository Text: Structures, Forms, and Writing Tips
What is Expository Text?
Expository text is one that aims to inform the recipient of topics of interest, trying to answer questions like “what?”, “how?” and “why?” It presents a series of ideas that clarify or express concepts and arguments. The information in expository texts can cover issues, discoveries, characters, news, events, advances in technology or medicine, events, etc.
Internal Structure of Expository Text
A. Deductive Structure
The deductive expository text is recognized because the subject
Read MoreModern Citizenship: Rights, State, and Social Inclusion
Modern Citizenship
Citizenship and State
The current concept of citizenship originates from French, English, and American traditions, and capitalism. To protect individual rights, a new type of political community was gradually instituted: the modern national state.
The modern state took shape alongside the current concept of citizenship.
The term “state” referred to a stable organization, a unified entity with its positions or bureaucracy and its ruler. Jean Bodin, with his concept of sovereignty,
Read MoreUnderstanding Space: Concepts, Approaches, and Educational Objectives
What is Space?
Space is a multidisciplinary concept that acquires a self-realization in every sphere of scientific thought. In mathematics, it is a set of points. According to the social sciences, it is where human activities are developed. Space and time are mental entities, patterns of strategic information used to unscramble the reality in which we live. Here, we face the answers to why we should teach about space. The answer is because it is a backbone for the contents of the social sciences
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