Menu Close

Linking Theory & Current Affairs in Political Science

Explaining current affairs from a theoretical framework is probably the biggest challenge students of Political Science face. Often they struggle to put international happenings in theoretical framework and take answer from a descriptive to analytical level. As a result, even with lots of study and multiple revisions, they fail to get good marks in PSIR. In this article, we will try to address the issue. We will try to learn – how to explain current events, using political theories.

But first, let us try to understand why theoretical thinking is so important. Why so many theories exist and why there is so much emphasis on it. Why just we cannot analyse the events with common sense rather than strenuously trying to fit them in some ‘theory box’.

Theories have been developed over a period of time and contain wisdom of ages. It consists of group of ideas which are linked together and compliment each other. Together they justify the entire theoretical paradigm and never contradict themselves. One idea of theory justify the second, the second the third and so on till it comes back to the first. In addition, there are multiple theories and at least one of them (or sometimes more) explains the reality.

So, when we choose to think theoretically (apply some theory to explain reality), we are both clever and safe. Just one connection with theory opens up explanations at multiple levels. Our understanding becomes deeper and perspective becomes holistic. And now we are more consistent in our propositions.

While common sense approach gives suggestions which are obvious and intuitive, using theories sometimes brings out perspectives which are not easily visible. Theories also simplify things and reduces complex phenomenon to a few KEY principles and actors. Theories help even predict the future (or at least suggest it) and put us in a better position to suggest a solution.

Thinking theoretically is not as difficult as it seems. It only demands two things 1] Right technique and 2] Practice with patience.

Right Technique – part 1

To explain current events from theoretical perspective, the only question we should ask is, “WHAT THIS INSTANCE IS AN EXAMPLE OF?” This is a powerful question. We should try to see which theory fits best in the given instance. Which theory explains the motivations of actors and the stands taken by them. Taking clue from there, we should see if an entire theory can be pulled to explain the given instance. And can we also predict the outcome and suggest solutions based on same theory.

Example of Nepal

Let us try to understand Nepal’s stand in recent Indo-China tussle. This is an example where weak power is siding with a stronger one, to ensure its own security. It clearly suggest a realist perspective. We will try to understand motivations of Nepal, the consequences it may have, and solution to the problem(for India).

psir answer writing
Image courtesy: BBC Network

Motivations:

Realism suggests – statism, self help & security. In the absence of world government, weak powers have to make arrangements for their own security. And the best way to achieve this objective is to side with the stronger powers. Given the huge power gap (military & economic) between India & China, Nepal has preferred China over India. That way it feels more secure and its national interest protected.
[You can also expand on motivations for China – how nations go for power maximization, no amount of power is enough etc.]

Consequences:

Nepal should know better to stay away from great power conflicts. It’s geographical dependence on India cannot be ignored and China can never be trusted completely. For its own benefit, Kathmandu should learn from China’s policies in Sri Lanka, Maldives & Pakistan.

Solution:

For the solution part, the option for India (because our analysis is India centric) is to acquire power (both soft and hard) for itself. It should earn respect and trust of its neighbours. It should become source of economic prosperity and military security to its neighbours.

Given the huge geographical advantage w.r.t. Nepal, India also needs to leverage it. India needs to demonstrate that ‘as much as it reciprocate gestures of cooperation, threats of conflict are not entertained‘. India cannot allow things to go out of control. Instead, the situation is an opportunity for India to send a clear message to its other neighbours.

[Alternatively, we can apply liberalist approach to the situation. In that case, our answer will be more solution oriented than explaining conflict (since liberalism struggles to explain conflict.)]
Usually realism best explains conflict, liberalism (idealism) explains cooperation and marxism explains exploitation.

Technique – part 2

Analysis can also be done at multiple levels.

Namely,
1) System level (international level),
2) State level and
3) Individual level.

At International level, we discuss how decision making happens, what are motivations and considerations of international actors (states, world bodies etc.) And what will be the consequences at this level.
On the parallel lines, we can analyse at state level. Actors involved, motivations, considerations, determinants etc. For example Government, civil society, bureaucracy, pressure groups, media etc. are some actors.
Individual level analysis deals how decision making happens at individual level. This becomes important especially in a situation where leader of a nation wields more power. For example, attributing America First approach to Donald Trump or NAM to Nehru.

Practice

This brings us to the next important thing in thinking theoretically. And that is – practice. More than science, answer writing is an art. Understand it well & you’ll save lot of time. Try to be regular in writing and eventually you’ll get the secret.

Additionally, I would also suggest to read political scholars. Sometimes this gives an entire new perspective. So, go ahead, take some example and apply yourselves based on these technique.

If you’ve any further questions, let us know in comments. we would be glad to answer them.
We also request you to try answering the following question in comments section for practice. We will evaluate first few questions.

UPSC Mains 2014/15m/200w/8c
In the history of foreign policy, seldom have relations between any two nations blossomed as fast as they have in the case of India and Israel. Discuss.

Posted in Answer Writing, Featured Article

Related Posts

Subscribe
Notify of
guest
19 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
santosh dutt

Hugely appreciated.

Archana

Was in search of this kind of initiative.
Thank a billion. ??

AJITA

in love with your contents thank you so much for providing this facility of yours to reach out and expand the views .

admin

Thank you.

Nemichand

Reading your content from last two days ,just fall in love with this .thanks for this initiative.can you suggest me where I will get articles related to current affairs and all

admin

Thank you Nemichand. We are developing a program for current affairs. It will be out within 7-10 days.

PRINCE

Please Provide Model answer for Substantive Democracy.Comment.
This is a PYQ of Democracy topic.
Thank u

admin

Sure. We’ll try to do it early and email you after.

Rahul

@abhipim044, can I completely rely on your notes for static portion or I have to read some other books as I have shortage of time

admin

Hello Rahul, Thank you for contacting us. Regarding notes, yes certainly you can rely on these notes for static parts. We are also trying our best to assist your preparation in IR current affairs as well. However we also recommend you to keep PYQ book handy. After studying every topic, go through PYQs and try to see yourself if all PYQs can be answered on the basis of notes. If you find some subtopic missing, you can always inform us and we’ll mail you and others as well the article on the said subtopic within a week. Except your articulation… Read more »

Vignesh

Thank you for this article.. It is very useful.. Please keep posting more articles.. From a remote area in India, it is useful for people like me.

Shubham

India announced its recognition of Israel in 1950 itself, but established full diplomatic relations only in 1992. During PM Modi’s visit to Israel in 2017, India-Israel relationship upgraded to ‘strategic’ level. Major areas of cooperation between both the nations are: Defence and Security: India is Israel’s largest buyer of military hardware. Both nations are co-operating in Intelligence sharing, cyber-terrorism, cross-border terrorism and internal security. Economic and Commercial: India is Israel’s 3rd largest trade partner with more than 5 billion dollars (excluding defence). Agriculture and Water Management: India has benefited from Israel’s expertise in horticulture mechanization, micro-irrigation and post-harvest management particularly… Read more »

Shubham

@abhipim044 Hey admin, I tried writing the answer to the question asked at the bottom of the article. I’d love to know how close I am to what is being asked in the question. I feel I should also have given examples of India’s relations with other countries to give a perspective on India-Israel but I didn’t find anything.

admin

Thank you for your answer Shubham and sorry for making you wait.  Answer is very good in terms of content. There is lot of information in terms of India-Israel relationship & fields of cooperation. The question is about ‘WHY & HOW’ relations between India & Israel have blossomed so much? And it is very good that you have discussed various areas of cooperation. I would suggest, however to 1st take a more broader perspective and then going narrow.  For example, rather than directly discussing Indo-Israel cooperation in agriculture sectors, we can discuss how Climate change creates serious risks for India’s… Read more »

Shubham

You don’t need to be sorry, Sir/Ma’am. This initiative of yours is already a great help for all the PSIR students.

And, thank you for reviewing my answer. I’ll keep these points that you mentioned in mind and try to implement them next time I write an answer.

Dhanashri S

Thanks for the useful insight!

admin

You’re welcome Dhanashri.

gajanan

This is really helpful and important aspect of Answer writing in PSIR. Thank you

admin

Thank you for your comment Gajanan.