Understanding Social Conflict and Political Power Dynamics
Understanding Social Conflict
- Inequalities arise because not all community members enjoy the same opportunities for access to basic resources that facilitate the maximum development of their abilities.
- Disparities exist in the enjoyment of skills and talents.
- Roles played in family and reproductive functions differ by gender, age, and kinship.
- Positions occupied in the social division of productive work vary, with some individuals performing trades or professions categorized as “manual” or “intellectual,
Historical Materialism: Marx’s Analysis of Class Struggle
**The Materialist Conception of History in Marx**
Critique of Hegel’s Idealism
The idealist conception of history, as presented by Hegel, held a dominant position in Germany during the early nineteenth century. Although it faced criticism from his followers, known as the “Young Left Hegelians” (including Bruno Bauer, Max Stirner, and Ludwig Feuerbach), they still shared with their teacher an emphasis on abstract ideas. Marx and Engels, in The German Ideology, criticized this neglect of “material”
Read MoreModernization Theory: Societal Evolution and Economic Growth
The modernization approach shows a great influence of classical evolutionism, which can be plotted on a linear view of social change. It suggests that backward societies must follow the same path as developed ones. The changes are irreversible and inevitably move towards modernity, based on democratic values and the capitalist mode of production in the Fordist phase. The change occurs endogenously, sequentially, gradually, and non-confrontationally. It is the result of structural or functional differences,
Read MoreBureaucracy: Definition, Weber’s Theory, and Modern Transformations
Item 10: The Bureaucracy
The word “bureaucracy” is a complex concept.
1. Meaning
- Bureaucracy is synonymous with government. The word “bureaucracy” is only applicable to the public sector (not private).
- Vulgar concept: A human group characterized by inefficiency and rigidity.
- Bureaucracy is synonymous with efficient administrative organization, diametrically opposed to the former. This definition is not only Hegel’s but also Weber’s.
- Bureaucracy is government officials and fits the etymological definition.
Catalan Literature: Middle Ages to 19th Century
What is the Value of the Chronicles as a Historical Document?
The four chronicles were written between the late thirteenth and fourteenth centuries. These documents are of great interest to understand the reigns of kings during the Catalan medieval period. However, they have more propaganda than the will to search for historical truth.
What Elements Reflect the Novel-like Catalan Chivalric?
Realistic treatment is a distinguishing element of the Catalan chivalric novel. There will be a distancing from
Read MoreHuman Nature: Biological and Cultural Dimensions
Cultural Animal: Human Nature Through Biological Constitution
The human being is a cultural animal; their biological nature is open to culture (language, technical, moral, etc.). Culture is an effective way of adapting. For example, symbolic and technical language leads to orientation in the world. There are two dimensions of human nature:
- Biological relevance, specific to humans, allows cultural life.
- Cultural, increases the power of adaptation of biological nature.
Human beings have animal instincts
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