PSIR 2A: Comparative Political Analysis and International Politics – Unsolved PYQs [2013-2024]

1] Comparative Politics

1. Discuss the interpretive approach to the study of comparative politics. [2024/10m/150w/1a]
2. What are the crucial functions of empirical political theory in Comparative Politics? [2023/10m/150w/1a]
3. Discuss the main limitations of the comparative method to the study of Political Science. [2022/10m/150w/1a]
4. Discuss the political economy approach to the comparative analysis of politics. [2021/10m/150w/1a]
5. Discuss the subject matter of comparative politics. Outline the limitations of comparative political analysis. [2020/10m/150w/1a]
6. Examine the significance of the comparative method in political analysis. Discuss its limitations. [2019/20m/250w/2a]
7. Describe the changing nature of comparative politics. Briefly explain the Political Economy approach to the study of comparative politics. [2018/10m/150w/1a]
8. Explain the Political-Sociological approach in the field of comparative politics and discuss its limitations. [2017/10m/150w/1a]
9. Critically examine the Marxist aspect of Political Economy approach to the study of comparative politics. [2016/10m/150w/1a]
10. Which are the major approaches of comparative politics? Explain in brief, the Political Economy approach to the study of comparative inquiry. [2015/10m/150w/1a]
11. Discuss David Easton’s model of systems analysis. [2015/15m/200w/paper 1/4c]

2] State in Comparative Perspective

1. What are the distinctive features of the post-modern state in the advanced capitalist economies? Analyse. [2024/15m/200w/2b]
2. What are the difficulties faced by a political theorist in comparing the States? [2023/10m/150w/1b]
3. “The post-colonial state was thought of an entity that stood outside and above society as an autonomous agency.” Explain. [2021/20m/250w/2a]
4. Describe the changing nature of state in the developing societies in the context of inclusive growth in the 21st century. [2018/10m/150w/1b]
5. A combination of internal pressure (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. [2016/10m/150w/1e]
6. Do you subscribe to the view that the modern constructs of the state and politics are pre-eminently Eurocentric and not indigenous and appropriate for the analysis of non-western societies? [2015/10m/150w/1b]
7. Minimal state ensures maximum of individual liberty. Examine the concept of minimal state. [2013/15m/200w/8b]

3] Politics of Representation and Participation

1. Critically examine the role of political parties in sustaining and stabilising democracies in the developing societies. [2024/15m/200w/3b]
2. How does democratic politics construct citizenship? [2023/10m/150w/1c]
3. Discuss the role of social movements in strengthening the democratic processes in developing societies. [2022/15m/200w/2b]
4. How has the electoral democracy augmented the participation of people in the democratic process ? [2022/20m/250w/2a]
5. The modernization thesis asserts that affluence breeds stable democracy. How do you explain the success of India being the world’s largest democracy as an exceptional case ? [2021/20m/250w/4a]
6. Explain the impact of electoral systems and cleavages in shaping party systems with reference to developing countries. [2021/20m/250w/3a]
7. “Political parties and pressure groups are sine qua non of democracy.” Comment. [2021/10m/150w/1b]
8. Has the increased participation of the underprivileged in the political process of the developing societies strengthened democracy or created political chaos and conflict? Comment. [2020/10m/150w/1c]
9. Analyze the contribution of liberal democratic principles in the democratization of Indian polity. [2020/10m/150w/1b]
10. Explain the reasons for low voter turnout in democratic countries with suitable examples. [2019/15m/200w/2b]
11. Write an essay on ‘The New Social Movements’ in developing countries. [2019/15m/200w/4b]
12. Is democracy promotion in developing countries a feasible idea? [2019/15m/200w/4c]
13. How big a role does identity play in determining political participation in the developing countries? Discuss your answer with suitable illustrations. [2018/10m/150w/1c]
14. Examine the LGBT (lesbian gay bisexual and transgender) movement in developed societies and how it is affecting the political participation in developing societies. [2017/10m/150w/1c]
15. Comment on the decline of political parties and examine whether new social movements shall be alternative strategies for establishing link between government and society. [2016/10m/150w/1b]
16. Do interest groups help to promote democracy or to undermine it? Give your opinion. [2016/15m/200w/4c]
17. What is the difference between interest groups and pressure groups? Are the pressure groups in India in a position to fully protect or promote the interest of their members? [2015/10m/150w/1e]
18. Struggle for democracy has been marked by bitter strife and tribulations. Examine the statement illustrating the cases of Pakistan, Nepal and Myanmar. [2015/20m/250w/2a]
19. The Party System in India is neither western nor indigenous. Explain. [2014/10m/150w/1a]
20. In what respect, is the new social movement, new in nature? Discuss. [2014/10m/150w/1b]
21. Compare and contrast social movements in advanced industrial and developing societies. [2013/20m/250w/2a]
22. Is the rise of social movements a sign of opening up of popular space in the political process or decline of representative politics? Examine. [2013/20m/250w/4a]

4] Globalisation

1. “Deglobalisation is displacing globalisation.” Comment. [2024/20m/250w/2a]
2. Critically examine the impact of globalization on the developing countries of the world. [2023/20m/250w/4a]
3. What are the main challenges faced by the developing countries in the era of globalisation ? [2022/10m/150w/1b]
4. What is globalisation ? Why is there an intense debate about globalisation and its consequences ? [2021/15m/200w/3b]
5. Critically examine the impact of the process of globalization from the perspective of the countries of the Global South. [2020/10m/150w/1d]
6. Critically examine the globalisation in the past 25 years from the perspective of the Western world. [2017/10m/150w/1b]
7. Discuss the impact of globalisation on the internal functioning of the state. [2016/10m/150w/1c]
8. Is globalisation essentially a process of ‘universalisation of capitalist modernity’? [2015/10m/150w/1d]
9. How is it that economic and neoliberal globalisation is being interrogated from inside even in developed countries? What are the economic consequences of such globalisation? [2015/15m/200w/4c]
10. What is Global Village? Elaborate its main characteristics and also the factors that contributed to its growth. [2014/15m/200w/4b]

5] Approaches to Study International Relations

5.1] Idealist/Liberal Tradition

1. Explain the various facets of the idealist approach to the study of international relations. Comment on its contemporary relevance. [2024/10m/150w/1d]
2. What is ‘complex interdependence’? Discuss the role of transnational actors in the international system. [2021/15m/200w/2c]
3. What are the core assumptions of idealism as an approach to study International Relations? Explain its continuing relevance in peace building. [2020/10m/150w/1e]
4. What according to Joseph Nye, are the major sources of a country’s soft power? Discuss its relevance in contemporary world politics. [2018/10m/150w/1e]
5. Discuss the main factors that have contributed to the gradual transformation of the world from ‘Billiards Ball model’ to a ‘Cobweb model’.  [2014/15m/200w/4c]
6. Building peace by pieces is the basis of Functionalism. Elaborate. [2013/15m/200w/7c]

5.2] Realist

1. What do you mean by offensive and defensive realism? [2023/15m/200w/4b]
2. What is the realist prescription to the States to ensure their survival in an anarchical world ? [2022/15m/200w/4b]
3. Discuss the emergence of neo-realism and its basic tenets [2021/15m/200w/2b]
4. Bring out the major differences between the classical Realism of Hans Morgenthau and Neorealism of Kenneth Waltz. [2018/10m/150w/1d]
5. Is Realism the best method to understand international relations? Examine this in the context of classical Realism. [2017/20m/250w/2a]
6. Identify the major differences between the classical Realism of Hans J Morgenthau and the Neorealism of Kenneth Waltz. Which process is the best suited for analysing international relations after the cold war? [2015/10m/150w/1c]
7. Examine major principles of state centric world-views. [2013/20m/250w/6a]
8. Write a note on intellectual precursor of Realism. [2013/15m/200w/7b]

5.3] Marxist

1. Explain the central tenets of the World-Systems Theory. [2024/10m/150w/1b]
2. ‘The Gramscian theory of hegemony provides many valuable insights into the nature of global power.” Comment. [2024/20m/250w/4a]
3. Discuss the commonalities between the Marxist and Realist approach to the study of International Politics. [2022/10m/150w/1c]
4. “Marxist approach to the study of international relations has lost its relevance in the post-cold war era.” Comment. [2021/10m/150w/1c]
5. Explain the relevance of the Marxist approach in the context of globalization. [2019/20m/250w/3a]
6. Examine the World Systems approach as developed by Immanuel Wallerstein [2017/15m/200w/4c]
7. How does Marxist approach explain contemporary international relations? [2013/15m/200w/6b]

5.4] Functionalist and System Theory

1. In what ways the functionalist approach in International relations help in maintaining peace and order in global politics? [2023/15m/200w/2b]
2. Critically examine the Functionalist approach to the study of international relations. [2018/15m/200w/4c]
3. Critically examine the Functional and System approaches to the study of international relations. [2016/10m/150w/1d]
4. Mortan A Kaplan’s system theory is contrary to the fundamental precepts of the Systems approach. Comment. [2014/15m/200w/3c]

6] Key Concepts in International Relations

6.1] National Interest

1. National Interest is an essentially contested concept. Comment. [2022/10m/150w/1e]
2. Explain the instruments and methods devised for the promotion of national interest. [2016/20m/250w/4a]
3. ‘National interests are dynamic’. Identify the dynamic nature of national interest in contemporary world politics with suitable examples. [2013/15m/200w/6c]

6.2] Security and Power

1. Critically assess the changing nature of the concept of national security. [2014/15m/200w/2c]

6.3] Balance of Power

1. Bipolar structure of the world is more stable than the multipolar one. Comment. [2022/10m/150w/1d]
2. Explain the concept of balance of power. What are the various techniques of maintaining balance of power? [2020/20m/250w/2a]
3. Identify the benefits of a multi-polar world. [2019/15m/200w/3b]
4. ‘The notion of balance of power is notoriously full of confusion’. In the light of this quotation do you think that the concept of balance of power is relevant? [2016/15m/200w/4b]

6.4] Deterrence

1. Discuss the utility of Nuclear Deterrence theory in the context of the recent stand-off between India and Pakistan. [2019/10m/150w/1a]
2. Discuss the theory of Nuclear Deterrence. Did nuclear deterrence prevent a superpower war? [2015/15m/200w/2b]

6.5] Transactional Actors

1. Some feel that multinational corporations (MNCs) are a vital new road to economic growth, whereas others feel they perpetuate underdevelopment. Discuss. [2018/15m/200w/2c]
2. Discuss the changing nature of modern state with reference to transnational actors. [2017/15m/200w/2c]
3. How do you explain the growing importance of MultiNational Corporations (MNCs) and civil society in contemporary international politics? [2014/20m/250w/4a]
4. Transnational actors have become driving forces of global politics. Elaborate. [2013/20m/250w/8a]

6.6] Collective Security

1. Discuss the conceptual dimensions of collective security. [2022/15m/200w/3b]
2. Enumerate the challenges in the operation of the principles related to collective security in the UN Charter. [2020/15m/200w/2b]
3. Collective Security and Collective Defence are the institutional and state mechanism to sustain the domination of powers that be in international politics. Elaborate. [2013/15m/200w/8c]

6.7] World Capitalist Economy

1. How has the development of Global Capitalism changed the nature of Socialist economies and developing societies? [2017/15m/200w/2b]

7] Changing International Political Order

7a] Rise of Superpowers & 7c] Collapse of Soviet Union

1. The expansionist tendencies of the current Russian regime indicate its intentions for the realisation of a Greater Russia on the lines of the Soviet era. Comment. [2024/10m/150w/1c]
2. The changing global order and ongoing regional conflicts, with the global powers taking sides, have jeopardised the progress made towards disarmament in the past. Comment. [2024/10m/150w/1e]
3. Do you agree with the view that the USA uses NATO as a traditional tool of strategy to perpetuate its hegemony in the world? [2024/15m/200w/3c]
4. Discuss the various constrains on American hegemony today. Which of these are likely to become more prominent in the future? [2023/15m/200w/4c]
5. Critically examine the rise of People’s Republic of China (PRC) as a great power and its implications on Asian Political order. [2022/20m/250w/3a]
6. Critically examine the decline of the United States of America as a hegemon and its implications for the changing international political order. [2021/15m/200w/3c]
7. Critically analyze the implications of Sino-American strategic rivalry for the South and South-East Asian region. [2020/15m/200w/2c]
8. Discuss the consequences of Trump’s ‘America first’ and Xi Jinping’s ‘Chinese dream’ on world politics. [2018/15m/200w/2b]
9. Examine in brief the rise and fall of the Cold War. [2016/15m/200w/3b]
10. Discuss the positive and negative impacts of Soviet Union’s disintegration on developing nations. [2016/15m/200w/7c]
11. Discuss the collapse of the Soviet Union and its impact on international politics. [2015/15m/200w/3c]
12. The Ukraine crisis is the product of power politics and geopolitics. Comment.  [2014/10m/150w/1e]
13. Who was Mr. ‘X’ in international politics? Elaborate his approach to foreign policy.  [2014/15m/200w/3b]
14. Identify the major changes in the international political economy in the post Cold War period. [2013/15m/200w/3c]
15. Identify the challenges to American hegemony in the post Soviet world. [2013/10m/150w/5a]

7b] Non-Alignment Movement (NAM)

1. Discuss the relevance of the normative ethos of the Non-Aligned Movement in magnifying India’s soft power in pursuit of her national interest. [2023/20m/250w/2a]
2. “During the Cold War, the Non-Aligned Movement tried to become a ‘Third Force’ in world politics, but failed because it was too large and unwieldy.” Discuss. [2023/20m/250w/3a]
3. Discuss the ways to strengthen the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) to enable it to address the challenges faced by the developing countries. [2020/20m/250w/3a]
4. Write a brief note on the 17th NAM Summit in Venezuela. [2019/10m/150w/1b]
5. Discuss the significance of Non Aligned Movement as a unique contribution of the non-western world to world politics. [2018/20m/250w/2a]
6. Do you endorse the view that the end of bipolarity and the rise of multiple regional organisations has made non aligned movement (NAM) more or less irrelevant? [2017/15m/200w/3b]
7. Highlight the major features of the ‘Non Alignment 2.0’ document. [2013/15m/200w/4b]

8] Evolution of International Economic System

1. The return of trade barriers and economic sanctions has diminished the spirit of GATT. In this context, discuss the factors contributing to the decline of WTO in recent times. [2024/15m/200w/4b]
2. Identify and evaluate the reasons for deadlock in the WTO negotiations on fisheries between the developing and developed countries. [2022/20m/250w/4a]
3. 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. [2020/15m/200w/3b]
4. 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 foreseeable future? [2020/15m/200w/3c]
5. How are the rising powers challenging the USA and Western dominance in the IMF and the World Bank? [2019/20m/250w/4a]
6. The IMF, World Bank, G7, GATT and other structures are designed to serve the interest of TNCs, banks and investment firms in a ‘new imperial age’. Substantiate with examples of governance of new world order. [2016/20m/250w/3a]
7. How far is the world governance mechanism dominated by the IMF and World Bank legitimate and relevant? What measures do you suggest to improve their effectiveness in global governance? [2015/15m/200w/3b]
8. Sketch the leadership role of India in WTO negotiations. [2013/10m/150w/1b]
9. Sketch the journey of global political economy from Washington Consensus to the present. [2013/10m/150w/5e]

9] United Nations

1. What is the structure and functions of International Court of Justice? [2023/10m/150w/1d]
2. Discuss the structure and functions of UN Security Council? [2023/10m/150w/1e]
3. Describe the composition of the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Discuss its voluntary jurisdiction. [2022/15m/200w/2c]
4. What measures have been undertaken by the United Nations for its reforms? [2021/10m/150w/1d]
5. 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. [2020/20m/250w/4a]
6. In what way does the predominance of the USA in the UN funding affect its decision-making? [2019/10m/150w/1c]
7. Do you think that sustainable development goals are really attainable by 2030? [2019/10m/150w/1e]
8. Evaluate the role of the International Court of Justice in inter-State disputes. [2019/15m/200w/2c]
9. Discuss the relevance of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on the security of women in conflict zones. [2018/20m/250w/3a]
10. Do you agree with the view that despite the limitations in the functioning of the UN, it has distinguished and unique achievements to its credit? [2017/15m/200w/3c]
11. Do you endorse that the United Nations needs major changes in its structure and functioning? Suggest changes for efficient improvements. [2016/15m/200w/2b])
12. What are the real objectives of Millennium Development Goals (MDG)? Do you think that MDGs have been able to achieve the desired goals of poverty alleviation and sustainable development? [2015/15m/200w/2c]
13. Has the reform of the economic and social arrangements of the United Nations been effective? [2015/20m/250w/4a]
14. Do you agree that the UN has failed to contain transnational terrorism? Elaborate your answer with examples. [2014/10m/150w/1c]
15. Argue a case for UN reform in the context of changing global milieu.  [2014/20m/250w/3a]
16. Bring out the objective of India seeking a permanent seat in the Security Council. [2013/10m/150w/1d])

10] Regionalisation of World Politics

1. What were the limitations of NAFTA? How did its replacement by the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement counter them? Explain. [2024/15m/200w/2c]
2. Do you agree with the view that the EU has thus far proved to be the most successful experiment in the regional integration processes? Account for its successes and also some of the recent challenges that it is faced with. [2024/15m/200w/4c]
3. How does the regime change and political crisis in Myanmar threaten regional security and peace? [2023/15m/200w/2c]
4. Account for the rise of European Union as a highly influential regional organisation. [2023/15m/200w/3b]
5. Russian-Ukraine crisis has cast a dark shadow on the energy needs of the member states of the European Union (EU). Comment. [2022/15m/200w/4c]
6. Explain India’s relations with the European Union in the context of Brexit. [2021/15m/200w/4c]
7. Explain the success of ASEAN as a regional organisation. [2021/15m/200w/4b]
8. Critically analyze the role of ASEAN in the promotion of regional peace and security through economic cooperation and trade. [2020/15m/200w/4b]
9. Evaluate the role of BIMSTEC in multi-sectoral technical and economic cooperation. [2019/10m/150w/1d]
10. Since its inception the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) has failed to deliver on its promise. What initiatives should be taken to reinvigorate the organisation? [2018/15m/200w/3c]
11. American President Donald Trump’s proposal to withdraw from NAFTA would bring unforeseen consequences to the regionalisation of world politics. Elaborate. [2017/10m/150w/1d]
12. Has the BREXIT affected the regionalisation process initiated by European Union? And what could be it’s likely impact in the regionalisation process of world politics? [2017/15m/200w/4b]
13. How does regionalism shape world politics? Explain with examples. [2016/15m/200w/3c]
14. The European Union has become the most politically influential, economically powerful and demographically diverse regional entity in the world. Discuss. [2015/15m/200w/4b]
15. Despite so many agreed areas of cooperation, innumerable institutional mechanisms and a permanent secretariat, South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) has not taken off as a meaningful regional grouping. Discuss. [2014/20m/250w/2a]
16. Give reasons for regionalisation of world politics. [2013/15m/200w/2b]
17. Substantiate APEC as a regional economic and trade arrangement. [2013/15m/200w/3b]

11] Contemporary Global Concerns

11.1] Democracy

This section is covered in topic  3] Politics of Representation and Participation.

11.2] Human Rights

1. Discuss the importance of personal data protection in the context of human rights. [2019/15m/200w/3c]
2. Critically examine the notion of Asian values in the context of the ongoing debates on human rights. [2018/20m/250w/4a]
3. Why does global human security need to be emphasised along with economic security? Explain with examples .[2016/20m/250w/2a]

11.3] Environment

1. Narrate the various ways in which rapid environmental degradation is posing a serious threat to human security. Illustrate your answer with suitable examples. [2023/15m/200w/3c]
2. Discuss the five proposals made by India in the recent COP-26 conference held in Glasgow. [2021/10m/150w/1e]
3. 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. [2020/15m/200w/4c]
4. Would you agree that the ongoing 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. [2018/15m/200w/3b]
5. Recent move of the USA to withdraw from the Paris climate agreement is a setback in the consensus achieved on protecting the world environment. In this context, assess the future prospects on climate control. [2017/20m/250w/4a]
6. Examine the main problems and challenges involved in looking after environmental concerns in world politics. [2016/20m/250w/7a]
7. Critically evaluate the approaches of the global south towards addressing environmental concerns. [2014/15m/200w/2b]
8. Compare and contrast Sino-India approaches to global environmental concerns. [2013/15m/200w/2c]
9. Global commons belong to global society and requires global attention. Comment. [2013/10m/150w/5d]

11.4] Gender Justice

1. Discuss the major recent social movements related to the physical rights of women in various countries of the world. [2024/20m/250w/3a]
2. Give an assessment of the feminist critique of contemporary global issues. [2017/10m/150w/1e]
3. Do you endorse that the conventional discourse on human rights has failed to include women’s rights? Explain in the context of feminist theories. [2015/20m/250w/3a]
4. ‘The feminist approach to international politics is biased’. Comment. [2014/10m/150w/1d]
5. Identify the role and place of gender in the global economy. [2013/15m/200w/4c]
6. State the place of gender justice in global political agenda. [2013/10m/150w/5c]

11.5] Terrorism

1. Discuss the efficacy of global conventions to combat international terrorism. [2022/15m/200w/3c]
2. Do you agree that the UN has failed to contain transnational terrorism? Elaborate your answer with examples. [2014/10m/150w/1c]

11.6] Nuclear Proliferation

1. Discuss the implications of the Trump Kim Singapore summit on the prospects of denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula. [2018/15m/200w/4b]
2. Development of advanced missile technology and nuclear threat by North Korea is a challenge to the American hegemony in South East Asia. evaluate the above statements in the context of recent developments in the region. [2017/20m/250w/3a]
3. Discuss the evolution of non proliferation of nuclear weapons in the post Cold War period. [2016/15m/200w/2c]
4. What rules do norms, taboos and epistemic communities play in the context of nuclear proliferation? [2013/20m/250w/3a]