PYQ Vault · Paper 2 · State in Comparative Perspective
“The post-colonial state was thought of an entity that stood outside and above society as an autonomous agency. Explain.
How the answer moves
The flow snapshot — the routes in, the body, the counter-view and the routes out.
Flow snapshot — how the answer moves
Intro routes
R? state an imported institution, not organic growth → read as standing outside / above society, self-directing → but appearance only; autonomy relative R2 received view: post-colonial state autonomous, above society → claim to be tested → thesis: real as appearance, relative in fact
Body flow
weak civil society → state as transformation engine, looms above → Alavi's overdeveloped state: colonial-built over-powerful apparatus, developed machinery on a transitional base → imported on pre-modern society = “outside” → mediates among indigenous bourgeoisie, landed classes, metropolitan capital → captured by none = relative autonomy = “above” → Poulantzas: class equilibrium, long-term dominant-class interests
Counter-view
autonomy never absolute → Shivji & Saul: bureaucracy itself a dominant class → state a class instrument within society, not above -. external limit: neo-colonialism + Wallerstein’s world-systems → complete autonomy denied
Conclusion routes
aeatiim &! image = appearance, not full reality → autonomy real but relative (colonial ‘wey inheritance + class balance) R2 genuine autonomy needs self-reliant development → India the exception: democracy with development
Model answer
Handwritten, in the form it would be written in the examination hall.
