UPSC PSIR Optional 2016 — Question Paper
The complete paper as UPSC set it, Paper I and Paper II. Tap a question to open its own page — the flow snapshot showing how the answer moves, and the handwritten answer.
Comment on the following in about 150 words (50 marks)
a“How would I and my fellow human beings behave if we were to find ourselves state of nature, and what does this behaviour tell us about our innate predispositions?” (Thomas Hobbes)10 marksAnswer →bThe Post-Behavioural Approach.10 marksAnswer →cAffirmative Action.10 marksAnswer →dB. R. Ambedkar’s idea of state socialism.10 marksAnswer →eGramsci’s concept of Hegemony.10 marksAnswer →
a“The Political ideology of Globalization is Neo-liberalism.” Comment.20 marksAnswer →bDiscuss Feminist theory of the State.15 marksAnswer →cCritically examine John Rawl’s argument for democratic equality.15 marksAnswer →
aDiscuss Sri Aurobindo’s views on Cultural Nationalism.20 marksAnswer →bExplain Marx’s understanding of Human Essence and Alienation.15 marksAnswer →c“The implementation of human rights is regarded as a matter of changing the conduct of States.” Comment.15 marksAnswer →
aDiscuss Hannah Arendt’s analysis of the role of ideology in modern totalitarian regimes.20 marksAnswer →bExplicate the features of representative democracy.15 marksAnswer →cExamine Gandhi’s critique of ‘Modernisation’15 marksAnswer →
Comment on the following in 150 words: (50 marks)
aCritically examine the Radical Humanist perspective on Indian National Movement.10 marksAnswer →bCultural and Regional differences are the enduring bases on which politics is played out in India.10 marksAnswer →c‘Article 368 does not enable Parliament to alter the basic structure or framework of the Constitution’.10 marksAnswer →dThe purpose of the 42nd Constitutional Amendment was to make the economic and social democracy explicitly visible.10 marksAnswer →eThe philosophy and administration of the distribution of powers between Centre and State is required to be re-assessed.10 marksAnswer →
bComment on the emergence of Backward classes in the Indian Politics.15 marksAnswer →
aLand reforms have failed in the eradication of rural poverty. Comment.20 marksAnswer →bCritically examine the role of Governor in recent times.15 marksAnswer →cDiscuss the Right to Information and underline challenges being posed before it.15 marksAnswer →
aThe goal of good governance will be achieved only by strengthening the grass root level democracy.20 marksAnswer →bExamine the objective and role of the National Human Rights Commission.15 marksAnswer →cCritically examine the provisions made in the Constitution for the protection of Environment.15 marksAnswer →
Answer the following question in 150 words: (50 marks)
aCritically examine the Marxist aspect of political economy approach to the study of comparative politics.10 marksAnswer →bComment on the decline of political parties and examine whether new social movements shall be alternative strategy for establishing link between government and society.10 marksAnswer →cDiscuss the impact of globalization on the internal functioning of the state.10 marksAnswer →dCritically examine the functional and system approaches to the study international relations.10 marksAnswer →e“A combination of internal pressures (ethnic and regional forces) and external threats (EU, UN, TNC, global market, etc.) has produced what is commonly referred to as a ‘crisis of the nation-state’.” Elaborate.10 marksAnswer →
aWhy does global human security need to be emphasized along with economic security? Explain with examples.20 marksAnswer →bDo you endorse that the United Nations needs major changes in its structures and functioning? Suggest the changes for efficient improvements.15 marksAnswer →cDiscuss the evolution of non-proliferation of nuclear weapons in the post-Cold War period.15 marksAnswer →
cHow does the regionalism shape the world politics? Explain with examples.15 marksAnswer →
Answer the following in 150 words: (50 marks)
dCritically analyze India’s nuclear policy.10 marksAnswer →