UPSC PSIR Optional 2018 — 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)
aJohn Stuart Mill is a ‘reluctant democrat’. – C. L. Wayper10 marksAnswer →bDecline of Political Theory10 marksAnswer →cDistributive Justice10 marksAnswer →dSubstantive Justice10 marksAnswer →e“Nothing against the State, nothing over it, nothing beyond it.” – Mussolini10 marksAnswer →
aCritically examine the neo-liberal theory of State.20 marksAnswer →bAnalyse John Rawls justification of discrimination to achieve the goals of Justicе.15 marksAnswer →cEquality means fair treatment rather than equal treatment. Comment.15 marksAnswer →
aWhat do you understand by three generations of Human Rights?20 marksAnswer →bCritically examine Macpherson’s views on Democracy.15 marksAnswer →cExplain the relationship between power, authority and legitimacy.15 marksAnswer →
aJohn Locke is the father of liberalism. Explain.20 marksAnswer →bDiscuss Ambedkar’s ideas on ‘annihilation of caste’.15 marksAnswer →cCritically examine Machiavelli’s views on religion and politics.15 marksAnswer →
Comment the following in 150 words: (50 marks)
aRevolt of 1857 is a ‘Sepoy Mutiny’ or ‘First War of Independence’.10 marksAnswer →bIndian Constitution is a ‘Lawyers’ Paradise’- Ivor Jennings10 marksAnswer →cNew Panchayat Raj is an effective instrument for women empowerment.10 marksAnswer →dImplementation of GST and NEET is a major challenge to Indian Federalism.10 marksAnswer →ePolitical personalities are more significant than political parties in India.10 marksAnswer →
bDo the Lieutenant Governors have more powers than the Governors of the States? Explain.15 marksAnswer →cCritically examine the ethnic conflicts in North-East India.15 marksAnswer →
aExamine the provisions of Panchayat Extension Services Act (PESA), 1996.20 marksAnswer →
aExamine the various causes of agrarian crisis in India.20 marksAnswer →
cCritically analyse the environmentalist movement in Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu.15 marksAnswer →
Comment on the following in 150 words: (50 marks)
aDescribe the changing nature of Comparative Politics. Briefly explain the Political Economy approach to the study of Comparative Politics.10 marksAnswer →bDescribe the changing nature of the State in the developing societies in the context of inclusive growth in the 21st century.10 marksAnswer →cHow big a role does identity play in determining political participation in the developing countries? Discuss your answer with suitable illustrations.10 marksAnswer →dBring out the major differences between the Classical Realism of Hans Morgenthau and the Neorealism of Kenneth Waltz.10 marksAnswer →eWhat, according to Joseph Nye, are the major sources of a country’s soft power? Discuss its relevance in the contemporary world politics.10 marksAnswer →
bDiscuss the consequences of Trump’s “America First” and Xi’s “Chinese Dream” on World Politics.15 marksAnswer →c“Some feel Multinational Corporations (MNCs) are a vital new road to economic growth, whereas others feel they perpetuate underdevelopment.” Discuss.15 marksAnswer →
aDiscuss the relevance of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on the security of women in conflict zones.20 marksAnswer →bWould you agree that the on-going debates on international environmental politics continue to be marred by a new North-South ideological divide over historical responsibility and developmental model? Illustrate your answer with suitable examples.15 marksAnswer →c“Since its inception the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) has failed to deliver on its promises.” What initiatives should be taken to reinvigorate the organization?15 marksAnswer →
aCritically examine the notion of “Asian Values” in the context of the on-going debates on human rights.20 marksAnswer →bDiscuss the implications of the Trump-Kim Singapore Summit on the prospects of denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula.15 marksAnswer →
Answer the following in about 150 words: (50 marks)
aDo you agree with the view that the Indian Foreign Policy is increasingly being shaped by the Neoliberal outlook? Elaborate10 marksAnswer →b“India is often said to have a rich strategic culture.” Discuss.10 marksAnswer →
bDiscuss the role of Indian diaspora in promoting Indo-US relations.15 marksAnswer →cDiscuss the various impediments in India’s way to a permanent seat in the Security Council.15 marksAnswer →