Contemporary European Politics - Module 1

Comprehensive practice flashcards covering the introductory module on Contemporary European Politics, focusing on the comparative method, regional clusters, historical transformations, European integration, and constitutional frameworks.

Who is the author of the Module 1 Introduction for Contemporary European Politics?

José M. Magone

What event in $1989$ led to the subsequent unification of the European continent?

The end of the Cold War

How is the change in European society described since the late twentieth century?

Transition from industrial to post-industrial society

In which regions did major democratization processes occur since the $1980s$?

Southern, central and eastern Europe

What three factors have led to the change of national politics since the $1970s$?

Globalization, European integration, and internal social and economic change

What is the primary reason for using the comparative method in European politics?

To reduce complexity by grouping countries into 'families' to facilitate classification, description, and analysis

How many countries are facilitated for comparison through 'regional clusters'?

$37$ countries

What two criteria generally define 'regional clusters'?

Geographical closeness and a similar historical legacy

Which regional cluster includes Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg?

Benelux countries

What is the name of the regional cluster mentioned that includes Germany, Austria, and Switzerland?

Drei-Sat Europe

According to the regions of Europe diagram, what cluster includes the United Kingdom and Ireland?

British isles

What does the text highlight regarding the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) between different regional clusters?

There is a big gap in terms of GDP per capital

Which database was used as the source for the $2016$ GDP per capita graph?

World Bank ($2017$) database

What type of society was dominant before the Industrial Revolution?

Agrarian society

During which centuries did the first Industrial Revolution occur?

Eighteenth/nineteenth century

When did the crisis of industrial society and the emergence of post-industrial society begin?

The $1970s$

What characterizes the 'Great Transformation' of the $2000-$ period compared to previous transformations?

It is a similar process but now at a faster pace and globalized

When did the process of European integration specifically enter a new accelerated phase?

Since $1985$

Which organization marked the start of European integration in $1952$?

European Community for Steel and Coal

What milestone was completed in $1993$ regarding European integration?

The single European market programme

What impact does European Union public policy have on member-states?

It leads to Europeanisation

What served as the catalyst against absolutist monarchies in $1789$?

The French Revolution

What is the function of a constitution according to the notes?

To set out the new rules of the game based on democratic principles of representation

Which principle is crucial to constitutions to avoid the 'arbitrariness' of power?

'Rule of law'

What are the four categories of rights included in the catalogue of European constitutions?

Political, social, economic, and environmental rights

What economic principle is listed as a main element of European constitutions?

Social market economy

Which constitutional element relates to the power of the people?

Popular sovereignty

In the separation of powers, which branch is associated with the Judicative function?

Judiciary

In the separation of powers, which branch is associated with the Legislative function?

Parliament

In the separation of powers, which branch is associated with the Executive function?

Government

What republic preceded the Nazi takeover in Germany?

Weimar Republic

When did Adolf Hitler take over power in Germany?

$$1933$$

What is the name of the constitutional settlement established in Germany after $1945$?

German Basic Law

Why does the German Basic Law emphasize the protection of constitutional institutions?

To prevent political extremism

What was the duration of the Spanish Civil War?

$$1936-1939$$

How long was the dictatorship of General Francisco Franco in Spain?

$$1939-1975$$

What does the term 'Ruptura pactada' refer to in Spanish history?

A Pacted Break towards democracy between Francoist elites and opposition elites

In what year was the new Spanish constitution approved by referendum?

$$1978$$

What is the purpose of the Welfare State in the context of European constitutions?

It is one of the main elements that characterize European constitutional systems

According to the summary, constitutions are important instruments to preserve what two things?

The 'rule of law' and the transparent working of institutions