Sovereignty: Concepts of Bodin and Hobbes

Posted by on Feb 5, 2025 in International Relations | 0 comments

The Concept of Sovereignty

Popular sovereignty is a concept often debated. Today, the concept of sovereignty is sometimes seen as in crisis or inappropriate, especially when considering public international law and justified claims of universal human rights. International law, by its nature, seeks supranational universal validity.

The validity of international law can conflict with the recognition of state sovereignty. For example, a country might refuse to sign or complete a treaty because it clashes

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EU Institutions: Roles and Functions

Posted by on Feb 4, 2025 in International Relations | 0 comments

European Commission

  • Role: Executive administration for the Union, originally granted the sole right to propose legislation under the treaties.
  • The power of initiative is influenced by policy formulation and guidance from the Council of Ministers and the European Council.
  • The Commission possesses its own powers of decision.

Commission President

The Commission President is proposed by the European Council to the European Parliament (EP) using Qualified Majority Voting (QMV) after consultations, taking

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Monarchies and Unification in 15th Century Europe

Posted by on Feb 2, 2025 in International Relations | 0 comments

15th Century European Monarchies

During the second half of the 15th century, modern national monarchies emerged in Europe, highlighting the power of the sovereign against noble political powers and the theoretical authority of the papacy and the Holy Roman Empire. These monarchies tended to develop unifying efforts, often through alliances against common enemies. For example, France under Louis XI and England under Henry VIII pursued such strategies.

The Spanish Case: The Catholic Monarchs

In Spain,

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Presidential Powers in France: Constitutional Rights

Posted by on Jan 29, 2025 in International Relations | 0 comments

Article 16: Emergency Powers

The President of France can invoke Article 16 of the Constitution, which grants special powers during exceptional situations or crises.

  • Conditions for Invocation: A serious and immediate threat that prevents the proper functioning of constitutional public authorities.
  • Consultation: The President must consult the Prime Minister, the Presidents of the Chambers, and the Constitutional Council.
  • Public Address: The President must inform the public through a message.
  • Constitutional
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Spanish Civil War Timeline: 1936-1939

Posted by on Jan 28, 2025 in International Relations | 0 comments

1936

1936
  • February: Popular Front victory in general elections.
  • April: Catalan politicians released from prison and return to government.
  • April: Murder of the Badia brothers by the FAI.
  • May: Manuel Azaña becomes President.
  • July 12: Murder of Lieutenant Castillo.
  • July 13: Murder of Calvo Sotelo.
  • July 17-18: Military uprising against the Republic: Spanish Civil War begins.
  • July 18: Failure of the military uprising. Resignation of Casares Quiroga, a lightning government under Martínez Barrio, and formation
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Spain’s Transition to Democracy: 1975-1976

Posted by on Jan 27, 2025 in International Relations | 0 comments

November 22: Juan Carlos I Sworn In as King

On November 22, Juan Carlos I swore before the Courts as the new king. While his speech disappointed those who longed for a message of openness, it launched a very strong message, clearly aligned with political change.

The Monarchy’s Plan for Political Change

In November 1975, the environment of the monarch already had a rough design of what should be the process of political change. The aim was to make changes from within the very legality of the fundamental

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