Sociology: Foundational Concepts and Influential Figures
Sociology: An Introduction
Sociology is dedicated to the study of society and its phenomena, including social action, social relations, and the groups that form them. It emerged in the 19th century. Auguste Comte coined the term in 1838 in his positivist philosophy course. He is considered the creator of positivism and sociology, examining institutions like family, work, school, and religion. Sociology’s objective is the study of social facts.
Auguste Comte (1798-1857)
- Referred to sociology as “social
Functionalist vs. Conflict Theory in Education
Functionalist vs. Conflict Approaches to Education
The Functionalist Perspective
Functionalists view modern society as a meritocracy, where success is achieved through ability and hard work, rather than ascription or inheritance. They believe that children from all socioeconomic backgrounds should have equal opportunities to attain high-status jobs. Functionalists see society as requiring highly trained individuals with specialized skills. They also emphasize the importance of an educated citizenry
Read MoreUnderstanding the Right to Vote in Spain
Theme 2: The Right to Vote
The Right to Vote and Political Participation
Political participation is a cornerstone of liberty. With the rise of the democratic constitutional state and its emphasis on equality, all individuals participating in the political process gained prominence, and the vote was recognized as a fundamental right. Today, democracy and citizen participation are intrinsically linked, with participation serving as a core principle of democracy itself. The right to participate, as enshrined
Read MoreJoan Fuster and J.F. Mira: Valencian Identity Essays
Joan Fuster and the Pursuit of Valencian Identity
Joan Fuster (1922-1992) is a key figure in twentieth-century Catalan literature. He was an intellectual committed to the underprivileged and the pursuit of Valencian identity, linked to all Catalan-speaking territories. His dedication is vast; he wrote humanistic, socio-cultural, and historical essays. His style is fresh, relaxed, and full of colloquialisms. His gaze is subtle, shrewd, ironic, and often caustic.
Fuster had to overcome many adversities:
Read MoreGlobalization: Advantages and Disadvantages
Pros and Cons of Globalization
Economic Globalization
Economic globalization reflects the views of neoliberal and neoclassical thinkers, in which states’ prominence diminishes and the world becomes a single global market of individual consumers.
Advantages:
- Cheaper prices for products and services
- Better availability of products and services
- Easier access to capital and commodities
- Increased competition
- Producers and retailers can diversify their markets and contribute to economic growth
- Access to new markets
- Spread
Understanding Social Policy: Key Areas & Impact
Introduction: Content Areas and Social Policy
Generally, when we speak of social policy, we refer to the activities developed by a state as a mediator between politics and economic activity. It has the job of balancing the distribution of wealth.
Once economic welfare and political stability are reached, the State must adapt its structures to implement the necessary changes demanded by the population for governing. This situation ends in the establishment of social policies, which in Europe were developed
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