IPE Theories and Global Economic Structures: Mercantilism to Modern Inequality
Mercantilism: Central Idea, History, and Neo-Policies
The central idea of mercantilism is that economic activity is a tool of state power, and wealth should be accumulated to strengthen the state in a competitive international system. For mercantilists, the economy is not an autonomous sphere but subordinated to politics: trade, production, and finance are instruments to enhance national security, sovereignty, and power. This contrasts with liberalism, which emphasizes cooperation, or Marxism, which
Read MoreCore Concepts in Criminology, Race, and Legal Philosophy
Foundational Concepts in Law and Criminology
1. Comparing Natural Law and Legal Positivism
Compare the Natural Law paradigm to the Legal Positivist paradigm. Briefly list some strengths and weaknesses of each perspective. Where does the ‘Letter from a Birmingham Jail’ fit among these two perspectives?
Natural Law Paradigm:
- Core Idea: A law is only valid if it aligns with higher principles (like justice, morality, or universal human rights).
- Strengths: Provides a basis for challenging unjust laws
Political Socialization, Regimes, and US Constitutional Rights
Political Socialization and Political Behavior
Defining Political Socialization
Political socialization is the “study of the developmental processes by which people of all ages and adolescents acquire political cognition, attitudes, and behaviors.”[1] It refers to a learning process by which norms and behavior acceptable to a well-running political system are transmitted from one generation to another. It is through the performance of this function that individuals are inducted into the political
Read MoreParticipatory vs. Pluralistic Democratic Models
The Participatory Democratic Model
The basic principle of the modern reinterpretation of the participatory democratic model is that defining democracy solely around the protection of individual interests is insufficient. This idea must be balanced with the need for public participation. Such participation serves to ensure collective self-government and succeeds in creating a citizenry that is informed and committed to the public good. Collective deliberation on public affairs and civic self-government
Read MoreThe Road to War: Causes of the Spanish Civil War (1936)
The Spanish Civil War: A Dress Rehearsal for Global Conflict
The **Spanish Civil War** started on **July 17, 1936**. This conflict became known as the *dress rehearsal* for World War Two and profoundly influenced the further development of conflict in Europe in the twentieth century. Over the span of this three-year war, Spain suffered around **500,000 casualties**, making it one of the deadliest wars in Spanish history. The immediate causes of the Spanish Civil War have been examined and debated
Read MoreMastering English Vocabulary: Invention & Object Description
Vocabulary for Innovation and Discovery
Key verbs, nouns, and related terms used when discussing invention and development.
- adapt (v), adaptation (n)
- clone (v), cloning (n)
- design (v), designer (n)
- develop (v), developer (n), development (n)
- discover (v), discoverer (n), discovery (n)
- idea (n)
- inspiration (n), inspire (v)
- invent (v), invention (n), inventor (n)
- observation (n), observe (v), observer (n)
- replace (v), replacement (n)
- research (v), researcher (n)
- revolution (n), revolutionary (adj), revolutionize