PSIR Paper 2 2015 with Solutions
In this article, all questions of PSIR Optional Paper 2 are answered. Click on the question links to view tha answers.
This article is part of Synopsis IAS Political Science and International Relations (PSIR) Optional Course.
PSIR Paper 2 UPSC 2015 - Question Paper with Solutions
Click on the links for the solutions
SECTION-A
1. Answer the following questions in about 150 words each:
PSIR 1a Which are the major approaches of comparative politics? Explain in brief, the political economy approach to the study of comparative inquiry. UPSC 2015, 10 Marks
PSIR 1b 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? UPSC 2015, 10 Marks
PSIR 1c Identify the major differences between the classical realism of Hans J. Morgenthau and the neorealism of Kenneth Waltz. Which approach is best suited for analysing international relations after the Cold War? UPSC 2015, 10 Marks
PSIR 1d Is globalization essentially a process of 'universalisation' of capitalist modernity? UPSC 2015, 10 Marks
PSIR 1e What is the difference between Interest Groups and Pressure Groups ? Are the Pressure Groups in India in a psosition to fully protect or promote the interests of their members? UPSC 2015, 10 Marks
PSIR 2a "The struggle for democracy has been marked by bitter strife and tribulations.'
Examine the statement, illustrating the cases of Pakistan, Nepal and Myanmar. UPSC 2015, 20 Marks
PSIR 2b Discuss the theory of Nuclear Deterrence. Did Nuclear Deterrence prevent a superpower war? UPSC 2015, 15 Marks
PSIR 2c What are the real objectives of Millennium Development Goals (MDG)? Do you think that millennium development goals have been able to achieve the desired goals of poverty alleviation and sustainable development? UPSC 2015, 15 Marks
PSIR 3a Do you endorse that the conventional discourse on human rights has failed to include women's rights? Explain in the context of feminist theories. UPSC 2015, 20 Marks
PSIR 3b How far are the world governance mechanisms, dominated by IMF and World Bank, legitimate and relevant? What measures do you suggest to improve their effectiveness in global governance? UPSC 2015, 15 Marks
PSIR 3c Discuss the collapse of the soviet Union and its impact on international politics. UPSC 2015, 15 Marks
PSIR 4a Has the reform of the economic and social arrangements of the United Nations been effective? UPSC 2015, 20 Marks
PSIR 4b "The European Union has become, the most politically influential, economically powerful and demographically diverse regional entity in the world.' Discuss. UPSC 2015, 15 Marks
PSIR 4c How is it that economic and neo-liberal globalization is being interrogated from inside even in developed countries? What are the economic consequences of such globalization? UPSC 2015, 15 Marks
SECTION-B
5. Answer the following questions in about 150 words each:
PSIR 5a The social structure of a country influences its foreign policy-making. How does the social structure of India impact the course and direction of its foreign policy? UPSC 2015, 10 Marks
PSIR 5b 'Non-alignment' has been the basic principle of India's foreign policy since independence. Discuss its relevance in the contemporary context. UPSC 2015, 10 Marks
PSIR 5c Identify the constraints/challenges to the regional cooperation in South Asia. UPSC 2015, 10 Marks
PSIR 5d Ethnic conflicts and insurgencies in North-East India can be better managed by improving relations with the neighbouring countries. Substantiate the statement with suitable examples. UPSC 2015, 10 Marks
PSIR 5e How does the Parliament determine and influence the making of India's foreign policy? UPSC 2015, 10 Marks
PSIR 6a Before the year 2000, the Indo-U.S. relationship has been marked more with estrangement than cordiality. Why? UPSC 2015, 20 Marks
PSIR 6b 'Economic interest has emerged as the main component of India's foreign policy.' Discuss the statement in the light of India's initiatives to improve relations with China, Japan and the Central Asian republics. UPSC 2015, 15 Marks
PSIR 6c In 1998, India declared itself as a nuclear weapon state. India refuses to sign NPT and CTBT. What would be the implications for India's nuclear policy in case it signs both the treaties? UPSC 2015, 15 Marks
PSIR 7a Vision of a new world order has emerged as the major objective of India's foreign policy. Discuss the policy initiative taken by India in this regard and the challenges faced by it. UPSC 2015, 20 Marks
PSIR 7b Discuss the factors for the decline of India's presence in Latin America. UPSC 2015, 15 Marks
PSIR 7c River water disputes are emerging as a major source of irritation between India and its neighbours. Identify the sources of conflicts and suggest the remedial measures. UPSC 2015, 15 Marks
PSIR 8a The United Nations completes 70 years of its establishment in 2015. What reforms is India asking for to strengthen the global institutions of governance and why? UPSC 2015, 20 Marks
PSIR 8b Discuss the realistic foreign policy initiatives taken by India to balance its relations between Israel and the Arab world. UPSC 2015, 15 Marks
PSIR 8c Discuss the humanitarian role played by India in the crisis-stricken Gulf countries like Yemen and Iraq. UPSC 2015, 15 Marks