Political Science and International Relations Optional Paper – 1 : 2020
Section – A
Q1. Comment on the following in about 150 words each :
- (a) Post-colonial theory of the state
- (b) Equality of opportunity
- (c) Liberalism as a revolutionary idea
- (d) Ambedkar’s ideas on constitutionalism
- (e) Machiavelli’s secularism
Q2.
- (a) Make a comparative assessment of Greek perspective of Justice with the Rawlsian concept of Justice.
- (b) Representative democracy means the people as a body must be able to control the general direction of government policy. (J. S. Mill). Comment
- (c) Assess the significance of right to property in political theory.
Q3.
- (a) Explicate the ideological components of Gandhism.
- (b)Examine the nature and meaning of power.
- (c) Explain the sources of ancient Indian political thought.
Q4.
- (a) Trace the evolution of Western Political Thought from ancient to contemporary period.
- (b) Discuss the significance of a normative approach to Political theory.
- (c) Discuss Karl Marx’s concept of class.
Section – B
Q5. Answer the following in about 150 words each:
- (a) Role of Socialists in Indian National Movement
- (b) Indian constitution makers’ concerns on social inequality
- (c) Right to constitutional remedies in India
- (d) Judicial overreach in India
- (e) Mechanism for settling inter-state disputes
Q6.
- (a) Examine the role and functioning of the Election Commission of India and the Comptroller and Auditor General in the last two decades.
- (b) Trace the role of militant and revolutionary movements in the Indian national movement.
- (c) To what extent has the 73rd and 74th amendments of the Indian Constitution enhanced women’s empowerment?
Q7.
- (a) Does the functioning of federalism in India tend to make it appear as a unitary state in practice?
- (b) Has the thrust of government tilted towards the executive in contemporary Indian Politics? Give your arguments.
- (c) ‘Liberalisation of Indian Economy has not been accompanied with adequate reforms’. Comment.
Q8.
- (a) To what extent has the inadequate intra-party democracy affected the functioning of Indian Democracy?
- (b) Examine the role of religion in Indian Electoral Politics in the contemporary times.
- (c) Examine the nature of the civil liberty movement in India.
Political Science and International Relations Optional Paper – 2 : 2020
Section – A
Q1. Answer the following in about 150 words each:
- (a) Discuss the subject matter of comparative politics. Outline the limitations of comparative political analysis.
- (b) Analyze the contribution of liberal democratic principles in the democratization of Indian polity.
- (c) Has the increased participation of the underprivileged in the political process of developing societies strengthened democracy or created political chaos and conflict? Comment.
- (d) Critically examine the impact of the process of globalization from the perspective of the countries of the Global South.
- (e) What are the core assumptions of idealism as an approach to study International Relations? Explain its continuing relevance in peacebuilding.
Q2.
- (a) Explain the concept of balance of power. What are the various techniques of maintaining a balance of power?
- (b) Enumerate the challenges in the operation of the principles related to collective security in the UN Charter.
- (c) Critically analyze the implications of Sino-American strategic rivalry for the South and South-East Asian region.
Q3.
- (a) Discuss the ways to strengthen the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) to enable it to address the challenges faced by developing countries.
- (b) Critically evaluate the role of the United States of America in the World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute settlement mechanism and its implications for the future of the WTO.
- (c) Explain the significance and importance of the demand raised by the developing countries for a New International Economic Order (NIEO). Are they likely to achieve their objectives of NIEO in the foreseeable future?
Q4.
- (a) Discuss the significance and urgency of the UN Security Council reforms. Explain the relevance of the reform proposals made by the UN Secretary-General António Guterres for the developing countries.
- (b) Critically analyze the role of ASEAN in the promotion of regional peace and security through economic cooperation and trade.
- (c) Examine the role of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and other major efforts by the UN to address the global environmental crisis.
Section-B
Q5. Answer the following in about 150 words each:
- (a) Describe the structure and function of the National Security Council of India. What role does it play in the formulation of Indian foreign policy?
- (b) Outline the reasons of low volume of trade in the SAARC region.
- (c) Analyze the impact of hydropolitics on Indo-Bangladesh relations.
- (d) Discuss the future prospects of Indo-Nepal relations in the context of the recent publication of new Nepalese map wrongly claiming Indian territory.
- (e) How does cross-border terrorism impede the achievements of peace and security in South Asia?
Q6.
- (a) How do the guiding principles of India-Africa relations seek to enhance harmony and mutual cooperation between India and Africa?
- (b) What are the notable features of the recently concluded pact or the Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA) between India and Japan? How is it likely to address the security concerns of India?
- (c) Discuss the significance of the Indo-US strategic partnership and its implications for India’s security and national defence.
Q7.
- (a) Explain the defense and foreign policy options of India to address the challenges emerging out of the current India-China standoff at the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
- (b) Explain the importance of India’s claim for a permanent seat in the UN Security Council.
- (c) Discuss the efficacy of India’s ‘no first use’ policy (nuclear weapons) in the context of the evolving strategic challenges from its neighbors.
Q8.
- (a) “The war in Afghanistan is crucial from the point of view of India’s national security. If the Americans withdraw and Jihadis emerge with a sense of triumphalism, India will face increasing onslaught of terrorism.” Comment.
- (b) Identify the key sectors of cooperation between India and Israel since 2014. Examine their significance in strengthening the bilateral ties between the two countries.
- (c) Critically examine the role of India in shaping the emerging world order.
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