GEOGRAPHY: THE POLITICAL ORGANISATION OF SOCIETIES

PROPUESTA PEDAGÓGICA: THE POLITICAL ORGANIZATION OF SOCIETIES

READING
ACTIVITY INTRODUCTION
WORK IN PAIRS The first recognizable states came into existence
1. W ATCH A
video. thousands of years ago. Since then there have
2. R EAD the text.
3. Answer the been many changes. The modern day political
questions . map is the result of this long process of change,
but it began with the discovery of America.
European countries (Spain, Portugal, France, The Netherlands an England)
began expanding into new continents in the 16 th and 17th centuries. The
colonies that were formed in the new territories depend politically on the
European countries.
Over time, however, the majority of these colonies became independent
states, either though independence movements (United States, Latin America)
or through a process of decolonisation (South- East Asia, Africa).
Political changes at the end of the 20 th century saw new states come into
existence as larger countries broke up (the Soviet Union, Czechiskivakia,
Yugoslavia) and other countries reunified (Germany)
Today there are almost 200 states in the world, but the process of change
continues and new states have been formed very recently (South Sudan)
What does State mean?
Name the states that you think have most influence on international politics.
Are state and countries the same?

C. D. I. VIRGEN DE GRACIA. Dpto. Social Sciences. 3rd of E. S. O. 2019-2020

GEOGRAPHY: THE POLITICAL ORGANISATION OF SOCIETIES "#%

UNIT 6: THE POLITICAL ORGANISATION OF SOCIETIES

CHAPTER: 6.1.THE STATES OF THE WORLD

CHAPTER: 6.2. THE POLITICAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE ORGANISATION OF
THE STATE
6.2.1. TYPES OF ADMINISTRATIVE ORGANISATION.
6.2.2. POLITICAL POWERS
CHAPTER: 6.3. THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN STATES.
6.3.1. DEMOCRATIC STATES.
6.3.2. AUTHORITARIAN STATES
6.3.3. MONARCHIES AND REPUBLICS
6.3.4. PARLIAMENTARY AND PRESIDENTIAL SYSTEMS
CHAPTER: 6.4. THE EUROPEAN UNION AND ITS INSTITUTIONS
6.4.1. ENLARGAMENT OF EUROPEAN UNION.
6.4.2. INSTITUTIONS OF THE EUROPEAN UNION

CHAPTER: 6.5. LA ORGANIZACIÓN DE ESPAÑA

LA CONSTITUCIÓN ESPAÑOLA
LA ORGANIZACIÓN POLÍTICA DE ESPAÑA
LAS INSTITUCIONES ESPAÑOLAS
6.5.3. LA ORGANIZACIÓN TERRITORIAL

C. D. I. VIRGEN DE GRACIA. Dpto. Social Sciences. 3rd of E. S. O. 2019-2020

GEOGRAPHY: THE POLITICAL ORGANISATION OF SOCIETIES

6.1.THE STATES OF THE WORLD

A state (Sovereign State) is an independent political organization, which

exercises its power over a territory with defined borders and is inhabited by a
given population.
There are 190 states whose sovereignty is undisputed

6.2. THE POLITICAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE ORGANISATION OF THE STATE

A state is considered sovereign within its borders. It has power in accordance

with its own laws
6.2.1. TYPES OF ADMINISTRATIVE ORGANISATION.
To administer the territory more effectively, the state is subdivided into
smaller political-administrative districts in hierarchical levels.

C. D. I. VIRGEN DE GRACIA. Dpto. Social Sciences. 3rd of E. S. O. 2019-2020

GEOGRAPHY: THE POLITICAL ORGANISATION OF SOCIETIES "#'

STATE ADMINISTRATION
 controls institutions
 army
 treasury
REGIONAL ADMINISTRATION
 regions, states, provinces
 provide public services ( health care, education, justice)
LOCAL ADMINISTRATION
 municipalities, canton, districts, communes, etc.
 form of government closest to citizens
 responsible for providing local services
6.2.2. POLITICAL POWERS
The functions of the State are divided among three
political powers which carry out different
functions.
1. LEGISLATIVE POWER
i. legislates
ii. proposes and approves laws
iii. exercised by parliaments or assemblies
2. EXECUTIVE POWER
a. applies laws and governs
b. directs domestic and foreign policy
c. controls internal order
d. defends the territory from external aggression
e. exercised by the government of each state
3. JUDICIAL POWER
a. judges
b. resolves cases when the law is not obeyed
c. decides any conflicts which may arise in the interpretation and
application of the law
d. exercised by judges in courts of justice

C. D. I. VIRGEN DE GRACIA. Dpto. Social Sciences. 3rd of E. S. O. 2019-2020

GEOGRAPHY: THE POLITICAL ORGANISATION OF SOCIETIES "#(

ACTIVITIES. Remember to copy in your notebook.

** 6.1. Read again points 6.1. and 6.2 and write down the characteristics
of a State.
** 6.2. Answer the following questions:
6.2.a Why does the State divide its administration?
6.2.b How are they called?
* 6.3 Fill in the following box:
… … …
TYPES
ADMINISTRATION ADMINISTRATION ADMINISTRATION
Provide/
responsabilities…

* 6.4. Fill in the following box:

STATE
…power
FUNCTIONS …power
…power

*** 6.5. EXTENSION: Find an example of a state and write information

about a country: territory, population and government.

6.3. THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN STATES.

LOOK AT THIS PITURES: Do you know

IN PAIRS. Explain in English these words: king, president, dictator

C. D. I. VIRGEN DE GRACIA. Dpto. Social Sciences. 3rd of E. S. O. 2019-2020

GEOGRAPHY: THE POLITICAL ORGANISATION OF SOCIETIES "#"

6.3.1. DEMOCRATIC STATES.

 Power of the State and actions of the Government are limited by law
 citizens' rights found in the constitution
 operate under rule of law
 law approved by legitimate procedures
Sovereignty lies with the people
 people make decisions directly (direct democracy)
 power is delegated to representatives ( indirect or
representative democracy)
Political pluralism exists
 political parties with different ideologies exist and can gain
power
Elections are free and plural
 all citizens of legal age vote secretly
Divisions of powers of the state
 legislative power with the parliament or legislature
 executive power lies with the Government
 judicial power lies with the courts
6.3.2. AUTHORITARIAN STATES
 The power of the state and actions of the Government have no limits
 citizens' rights are not recognized
Sovereignty resides in a single person or small group of people
 citizens are not allowed to participate in government
No political and ideological freedom
 only one political party
 activities of other parties is prohibited or limited
No free elections
 or elections are manipulated by the government
No division of powers
 the three powers are controlled by one person or a group
of people
6.3.3. MONARCHIES AND REPUBLICS
 In a monarchy, the head of state is a king or queen

C. D. I. VIRGEN DE GRACIA. Dpto. Social Sciences. 3rd of E. S. O. 2019-2020

GEOGRAPHY: THE POLITICAL ORGANISATION OF SOCIETIES "#)

 inherits the position

 holds it all of his/her life
In most modern-day states, the monarchy is constitutional or
parliamentary
 powers of the monarch are regulated by the constitution
 kings/queens have very limited power
In a republic, the head of state is a
president
 elected by citizens
 presidential elections held at regular intervals
6.3.4. PARLIAMENTARY AND PRESIDENTIAL SYSTEMS
 In a parliamentary system, the executive power is distributed between
two institutions
 the head of state
 monarch or president
 power is limited to representing the country to the rest of
the world
 the president of government or prime minister
 exercises the executive power
Presidential systems are always republics
 president of the republic is both head of state and president of
the government
 president represents the country and directs the
government

C. D. I. VIRGEN DE GRACIA. Dpto. Social Sciences. 3rd of E. S. O. 2019-2020

GEOGRAPHY: THE POLITICAL ORGANISATION OF SOCIETIES "#*
ACTIVITIES. Remember to copy in your notebook.

* 6.6. Say whether the following sentences refer to:

a democratic state an authoritarian state

1.- The three powers of the state are controlled by one person or small group
of people. 2.- Sovereignty lies with the people. 3. There is political pluralism.
4.- The power of the state has no limits or controls.
* 6.7. Say what types of state have the following features:
a. They have a double executive
b. The head of state is a hereditary monarch
c. The head of state is also the president of the government.
* 6.8. Indicate which of these sentences are related to democratic system:
a) The elections are free and plural. B) Sovereignty resides in a single person
or a group of people. c) There are political parties which represent different
ideologies and options.
** 6.9 IN GROPUS: Look at the map above and give an example of a country
which represents each form of state and government and explain what
they consist of.
** 6.10. Fill in the following table:
AUTHORITARIAN MODERN REPUBLICS PRESIDENTIAL
STATES MONARCHIES SYSTEMS
The head
of state
Free
elections
Political
Parties
Power

***6.11. EXTENSION: The USA is a presidential republic. What does that

system consist of?

C. D. I. VIRGEN DE GRACIA. Dpto. Social Sciences. 3rd of E. S. O. 2014-2015

GEOGRAPHY: THE POLITICAL ORGANISATION OF SOCIETIES "#+

6.4. THE EUROPEAN UNION AND ITS INSTITUTIONS

6.4.1. ENLARGAMENT OF EUROPEAN UNION.

The present day European Union has its origin in the European Economic
Community founded in 1957.
 6 founding members (Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg, the
Netherlands, West Germany)

 desire to create a single market in Europe without borders or customs

In 1973, the UK, Ireland and Denmark joined the Union.

C. D. I. VIRGEN DE GRACIA. Dpto. Social Sciences. 3rd of E. S. O. 2019-2020

GEOGRAPHY: THE POLITICAL ORGANISATION OF SOCIETIES "#$,

Followed by Greece in 1981 and Spain and Portugal in 1986.

The Union rose to 15 in 1995 with the incorporation of Austria, Sweden and
Finland.
Today there are 28 member states following the incorporation of some former
soviet bloc states (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Czech Republic,
Slovakia, Hungary and Slovenia in 2004, Romania and Bulgaria in 2007 and
Croatia in 2013)

6.4.2. INSTITUTIONS OF THE EUROPEAN UNION

A. THE EUROPEAN COUNCIL
a. highest political body of the EU

C. D. I. VIRGEN DE GRACIA. Dpto. Social Sciences. 3rd of E. S. O. 2019-2020

GEOGRAPHY: THE POLITICAL ORGANISATION OF SOCIETIES "#$$

i. composed of:
a. the heads of state or Government of the
member countries
2. a president elected for two and a half years
(currently José Manuel Barroso)
b. Function
i. determine general objectives and priorities of the EU
ii. meets every six months at European Summits
B. THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION
a. represents the member states
i. composed of:
1. one minister from each country
2. changes depending on the matter being dealt with
3. presidency rotates every 6 months among member
states
b. Function
i. shares funcions with the parliament
ii. approves community laws and budget
iii. developes foreign policy of the EU
C. THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
a. Represents citizens of the EU
i. composed of 785 members of parliament
ii. elections are held every 5 years
b. Functions
i. approve community laws and budget
ii. oversees the council and the commission
iii. ratifies international agreements
D. THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION
a. represents the interests of the EU
i. composed of a president, vice-president and
commissioners
ii. have responsibility for an area of community policy for 5
years

C. D. I. VIRGEN DE GRACIA. Dpto. Social Sciences. 3rd of E. S. O. 2019-2020

GEOGRAPHY: THE POLITICAL ORGANISATION OF SOCIETIES "#$%

b. Functions
i. propose lawys
ii. ensure compliance with European legislation and treaties
iii. manage European programmes and budget
E. THE COURT OF JUSTICE
a. composed of one judge from each country
i. appointed for 6 years
b. Functions
i. guaranteee that EU legislation is interpreted and applied
equally in all the states
ii. resolve disputes related to community laws
F. ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE
a. composed of employers' organizations and trade unions
b. Function
i. unite different economic interest groups
G. COURT OF AUDITORS
a. composed of one person from each member state
b. Function
i. audits the accounts of EU institutions
H. CENTRAL EUROPEAN BANK
a. Central bank for the Euro
b. Function
 administers monetary policy in the Eurozone 18 countries
that use the Euro.

C. D. I. VIRGEN DE GRACIA. Dpto. Social Sciences. 3rd of E. S. O. 2019-2020

GEOGRAPHY: THE POLITICAL ORGANISATION OF SOCIETIES "#$&

ACTIVITIES. Remember to copy in your notebook.

* 6.12. Paste the European map in your notebook, write the names of
countries and give colour:
Yellow: Europe 6. Red: Europe 12.
Green: Europe 9. Blue: Europe 15.
Orange: Europe 9. Brown: Europe 25.
Pink: Europe 10. Violet: Europe 27.
* 6.13. Fill in the table of EUROPEAN INSTITUTIONS:

INSTITUTIOS COMPOSITION FUNCTIONS.

European parliament
European commission
European council
Court of justice
**6.14. Match these functions with European institutions:
- Propose the laws, approve community laws and budget.
- Determine the general objectives for the EU.
- Develop the foreign policy of the European Union.
**6.15. Say which EU institutions these posts belong to: commissioners,
judges, president of the EU, ministers, members of parliament.
***6.16. EXTENSION: write a paragraph where you explain the enlargement
of European Union with treaties.

6.5. LA ORGANIZACIÓN DE ESPAÑA. Libro de texto p.p. 281

6.5.1. LA CONSTITUCIÓN ESPAÑOLA

Las leyes y reglamentos que se utilizan para gobernar el Estado español están
contenidos en la Constitución de 1978
La Constitución establece los derechos y deberes fundamentales de los
ciudadanos, regula la organización política del Estado y determina su función
instituciones

C. D. I. VIRGEN DE GRACIA. Dpto. Social Sciences. 3rd of E. S. O. 2019-2020

GEOGRAPHY: THE POLITICAL ORGANISATION OF SOCIETIES "#$'

6.5.2. LA ORGANIZACIÓN POLÍTICA DE ESPAÑA

El Estado español es: social. Los intereses sociales prevalecen sobre las
consideraciones individuales; Democrático, garantiza la participación política
de los ciudadanos y permite el pluralismo político
El gobierno está limitado por la Constitución y las leyes
La soberanía reside en el pueblo español. Poder delegado a los representantes
elegidos en las elecciones generales
España tiene una monarquía parlamentaria
El rey en el jefe de Estado, tiene funciones limitadas. Representa España en
las relaciones internacionales y sanciona las leyes. Ejerce el mando supremo
de las fuerzas armadas.
6.5.3. LAS INSTITUCIONES ESPAÑOLAS
Los poderes del Estado se dividen entre tres instituciones

A.- LAS CORTES GENERALES (Parlamento)

• tienen el poder legislativo
• compuesto por dos cámaras elegidas cada cuatro años
• EL SENADO (Senado)
• Cámara de representación territorial
• participa en el desarrollo de las comunidades autónomas
• propone enmiendas a las leyes
• controla el Gobierno
• ratifica acuerdos internacionales

C. D. I. VIRGEN DE GRACIA. Dpto. Social Sciences. 3rd of E. S. O. 2019-2020

GEOGRAPHY: THE POLITICAL ORGANISATION OF SOCIETIES "#$(

• EL CONGRESO DE LOS DIPUTADOS (Congreso de los Diputados)

• representa al pueblo español
• redacta leyes
• aprueba los presupuestos del Estado
• controla el Gobierno
B.- EL GOBIERNO
Tiene el poder ejecutivo .
Compuesta del presidente, uno o más vicepresidentes y ministros.
Funciones:
- ejecutar las leyes.
- dirigir la política.
- defender el Estado
C.- LOS TRIBUNALES DE JUSTICIA
Poder: judicial.
Integrado por jueces y magistrados
Funciones: asegurar el cumplimiento de las leyes
6.5.4. LA ORGANIZACIÓN TERRITORIAL
A.- LAS COMUNIDADES AUTÓNOMAS
Las comunidades autónomas son la
administración regional, contiene
diferentes provincias, territorios
insulares. Además tiene la
capacidad de legislar y
autogobernarse.
Hay 17 comunidades autónomas y
dos ciudades autónomas
Cada comunidad se rige por un
estatuto de autonomía que regula su gestión.
Tiene sus propias instituciones
1. Parlamento regional
o ejerce el poder legislativo
2. Gobierno
o ejerce el poder ejecutivo
3. Tribunal Superior de Justicia

C. D. I. VIRGEN DE GRACIA. Dpto. Social Sciences. 3rd of E. S. O. 2019-2020

GEOGRAPHY: THE POLITICAL ORGANISATION OF SOCIETIES "#$"

o máximo órgano del poder judicial

B.- PROVINCIAS Y MUNICIPIOS
Provincias y municipios forman la administración local
Cada provincia se compone de un número de municipios, el gobierno es el
Consejo Provincial (Diputación) compuesto por:
1. Diputados electos entre los consejeros
2. Un presidente elegido por los diputados
Funciones:
- promover el interés de la provincia
- proporcionar servicios
- coordinar y cooperar con los municipios
Los municipios son las unidades territoriales más pequeñas del Estado.
Compuesto por uno o más centros de población y alrededores (distrito
municipal). El cuerpo de gobierno es la Ciudad o Ayuntamiento Compuesto
por:
- un alcalde
- concejales
Funciones:
- prestar servicios a los habitantes del término municipal
- recogida de residuos
- pavimentación de calles
ACTIVIDADES. Recuerda que las actividades debes copiarlas y hacerlas en tu cuaderno.

**6.17. Define el Estado español teniendo encuenta la persona que ocupa la

jefatura del Estado, la forma de Gobierno y regimen politico.
**6.18. Explica el artículo 1.1. de la Constitución española: España se
constituye en un Estado Social y democrático de Derecho.
* 6.19.Según el texto: ¿En quién reside la soberanía española? ¿Cómo se
reparten los poderes en el Estado español?
* 6.20. Realiza un esquema de las instituciones españolas
PLAN LECTOR: ANDALUCÍA. Lee la pág. 276 de tu libro y realiza las
actividades de la pág. 277

C. D. I. VIRGEN DE GRACIA. Dpto. Social Sciences. 3rd of E. S. O. 2019-2020