Content with the tag: política

One of the reasons why corruption is not punished at the ballot box is that we tend to avoid exposing ourselves to news about scandals affecting our favourite party.

Do municipal councils in Spain reflect the diversity of origins of the population? We analyse access to local politics for immigrants and whether differences exist between the different foreign groups. 

To what point do elderly people participate in political activities? Some 6.5% of men and 4.3% of women aged between 65 and 74 years in our country participate actively in politics.

What percentage of public spending is allocated to elderly people? The tendency in European countries has been to increase the weight of the resources allocated to this group.

The two books reviewed share concerns regarding the decline of the USA and show the problems facing the country. From different perspectives, both reach the same diagnosis regarding American society and the danger that threatens democracy.

In Spain, smoking and road accidents are responsible for an important loss of years and quality of life. Have the legal measures taken in recent years had any effect on this problem?

From an economic viewpoint, innovation is considered to be an engine of growth because of its capacity to generate wealth and employment, a focus that has gained prominence since the start of the financial crisis in 2008. This review by the “la Caixa” Social Observatory comments on two books that analyse this issue from very different perspectives. 

Spain’s Secretary of State for Research, Development and Innovation, Carmen Vela, describes in this interview the strengths of the current system and highlights those fronts being worked on with regard to the medium and long term.

Science is a very relevant activity in economic terms, which also has a very favourable social perception. However, Spain invests less in R&D than the rest of the European countries, confirming a gap between citizens' attitudes and the will of politicians and businesses.

On the global economic map drawn up by the financial crisis of 2008, the emerging countries are displacing the developed countries in the attracting of foreign investment in R&D. What factors influence this phenomenon and how does it affect countries such as Spain?

This index allows comparison of the level of innovation in different regions. Measuring variables such as infrastructures, business activity or tangible results, it shows that in Spain there is still much work to be done.

How much do countries invest in R&D? In more dynamic economies, the business sector is the major funder, whereas in Southern Europe, the governments lead investment.

Forest fires are a recurring problem that destroy tens of thousands of hectares of woodland every year. In this article by the Social Observatory of “la Caixa”, we analyse sustainable solutions for the long term within a "green employment strategy". 

In this interview, John O’Hagan explains the numerous benefits that the arts bring to society, from their contribution to the formation of a collective identity to their positive impact on the economy.

The reduction in aid programmes for vulnerable groups has caused an increase in situations of social exclusion in Europe. In this interview, Nick Axford explains to the Social Observatory of "la Caixa” how social protection policies are designed and the factors that intervene in the process.

How can we tackle living with uncertainty? We analyse two books that provide a critical view and a philosophical focus to try to help manage our expectations regarding the future and the tools that science offers us to try to predict it.

Michael Marmot, director de Instituto de Equidad y Salud del University College London, explica los mecanismos que vinculan la desigualdad social con una mala salud, así como las políticas que deberían ponerse en marcha para reducirlas.

How can we ensure that biomedical research is aligned with social needs? This article from the Social Observatory of “la Caixa” analyses how resources could be assigned efficiently.

Increasingly, the inhabitants of the suburbs have been choosing not to go and vote. What are the reasons that explain such extreme abstention by this collective in electoral processes? Has the new politics managed to draw greater participation from the more disadvantaged areas?

In this interview David Throsby, a specialist in the economics of art and culture, offers a global view of what the concepts of culture and art mean, including their value as well as the relationship that these disciplines have with the economy. 

Tackling growing inequality in income distribution and wealth is a social challenge that demands an innovative approach. Academic Anthony B. Atkinson proposes 15 actions that combine old policies with new instruments.

Jane Waldfogel is Chair Professor in Social Work at the University of Columbia. In this interview, the main author of the book Too Many Children Left Behind proposes solutions for tackling differences in performance between students.

Public investment in R & D is one of the pillars of knowledge-based economies. How can we ensure that this effort is applied intelligently? What do governments need to know to support the investments with  greater social return?