The document outlines the political organization of society, focusing on concepts like the nation, state, and the separation of powers in democratic systems. It discusses global issues such as stateless nations, the implications of globalization, and the roles of supranational organizations like the United Nations and the European Union. Additionally, it details the history and structure of the EU and its objectives in promoting cooperation among member states.

1. Political organization of Society
Unit 1
Geography and history 3ºESO

2. • Nation: Group of people with common
characteristics such as language, traditions,
customs or ethnicity, within a territory.

3. Political structure
STATE
PEOPLE POWERTERRITORY
Set of institutions created to organise the lives
and activities of the people who live in the
same territory, governed by same laws, same
authority.
Defined by borders
that marks the limit of
the state.
Population
living in a
territory. Have a
set of rights and
duties. In a state
can coexist
different
cultures or
nationalities
States has the right to
power. Performs
various functions:
- Establishes law
- Judicial authority
- Maintaining the
order
- Collects taxes
- Runs Economy
- Pubic services

4. ELEMENTS OF DEMOCRATIC STATES
• Separation of powers:
– LEGISLATIVE:
• Enacts the laws
• Performs legislativie functions
• Control government actions
• Led by Parliament and senate
– EXECUTIVE
• Applies the laws and policies
• Led by the government
– JUDICIAL
• Applies the laws, judges conflicts, punishes infringements
• Led by tribunals and courts
Montesquieu, creator of
the theory of “Separation
of powers”

5. THE WORLD’S STATES AND INTERNATIONAL
RELATIONS
• Previous concepts:
– North vs South
– West-East dichotomy
– Unilateralism
– Multilateralism
– Maps and politcs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVX-PrBRtTY

7. Research task: Stateless nations
• Investigate about “Stateless
nations”:
– Work in pairs.
– Choose a nation from the list
given.
– Find information following the
points given, and make a Power
Point.
– The presentation shouldn’t be
longer than 5 minutes and no
shorter than 2.
– It will count FOUR points in the
activities marks.

8. States and globalisation
• Previous concepts:
– Globalisation: Integration of economies, industries, markets, cultures and
policy-making around the world..
• Treaties and conventions:
– The states undertake to carry out or avoid certain measures.
• Supranational organisations:
– Global: UN, WTO, IMF
– Continental and regional: EU, Arab Leage, ALBA…

9. States and globalisation
• Regionalisation:
– Tendency to form decentralized regions, in order
to manage resources and share powers.
• Types of regions:
– Stateless nations: Quebec, Basque Country,
Scotland…
– Distinct regions: Free State of Bavaria.
– Global cities: New York, Tokyo, London…

10. The United Nations
• The largest and most important
supranational organisation.
• Founded in 1945, after WW II, today
includes almost all the world’s states.
• Goals:
– Maintain international peace
– Develop friendly relations among
nations
– Achieve international cooperation to
solve problems of an economic, social,
cultural or humanitarian nature.
– Promote and encourage respect for
human rights.

11. Organisation of the UN

12. Spain: Political administration

13. The European Union
• Supranational organisation between European
countries.
• Objectives:
– Promote economic and social progress
– Assert European identity on the international
scene
– Introduce European citizenship
– Develop and area of freedom, security and justice.

14. EU: Origins
• ECSC: European Coal and Steel Community. In
1950, common market between France,Italy,
West Germany and “The BeNeLux”. In the
historical context of the Cold War.
• Treaty of Rome 1957: Started a Economic
Community = free movement of goods, services,
capital and people between its members. It’s
the birth of the EEC.

15. From the ECC to the UE
• Since 1957 the members of the ECC begun to
increase. In 1992 there were 15 members.
• Treaty of Maastrich 1992:
– Settled the bases of the political union.
– Established the approval of the monetary union.
– Created Mechanisms for citizen participation
– The ECC become into EU.

16. UE Institutions
• Council of the European Union: Represent the
states members by its ministries. Makes the most
important decisions.
• European Council: Represented by the chiefs of
state or government of the different states
members, defines general direction and policies.

17. • European parliament: Legislative functions.
• European commission: Proposes and
implements laws.
• Court of Justice: Ensures application of EU law.