PSIR Paper 2 2018 with Solutions

PSIR Paper 2 UPSC 2018 - Question Paper with Solutions 

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SECTION-A

1. Answer the following questions in about 150 words each:

PSIR 1a Describe the changing nature of Comparative Politics. Briefly explain the Political Economy approach to the study of Comparative Politics. UPSC 2018, 10 Marks

PSIR 1b Describe the changing nature of the State in the developing societies in the context of inclusive growth in the 21st century. UPSC 2018, 10 Marks

PSIR 1c How big a role does identity play in determining political participation in the developing countries? Discuss your answer with suitable illustrations. UPSC 2018, 10 Marks

PSIR 1d Bring out the major differences between the Classical Realism of Hans Morgenthau and the Neorealism of Kenneth Waltz. UPSC 2018, 10 Marks

PSIR 1e What, according to Joseph Nye, are the major sources of a country's soft power? Discuss its relevance in the contemporary world politics. UPSC 2018, 10 Marks

PSIR 2a Discuss the significance of Non-Aligned Movement as a unique contribution of the Non-Western world to World Politics. UPSC 2018, 20 Marks

PSIR 2b Discuss the consequences of Trump's "America First" and Xi's "Chinese Dream" on World Politics. UPSC 2018, 15 Marks

PSIR 2c "Some feel Multinational Corporations (MNCs) are a vital new road to economic growth, whereas others feel they perpetuate underdevelopment." Discuss. UPSC 2018, 15 Marks

PSIR 3a Discuss the relevance of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on the security of women in conflict zones. UPSC 2018, 20 Marks

PSIR 3b Would 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. UPSC 2018, 15 Marks

PSIR 3c "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? UPSC 2018, 15 Marks

PSIR 4a Critically examine the notion of "Asian Values" in the context of the on-going debates on human rights. UPSC 2018, 20 Marks

PSIR 4b Discuss the implications of the Trump-Kim Singapore Summit on the prospects of denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula. UPSC 2018, 15 Marks

PSIR 4c Critically examine the Functionalist approach to the study of International Relations. UPSC 2018, 15 Marks

SECTION-B

5. Answer the following questions in about 150 words each:

PSIR 5a Do you agree with the view that the Indian Foreign Policy is increasingly being shaped by the Neoliberal outlook ? Elaborate. UPSC 2018, 10 Marks

PSIR 5b "India is often said to have a rich strategic culture." Discuss. UPSC 2018, 10 Marks

PSIR 5c Evaluate India's stand on the recent Rohingya refugee issue. UPSC 2018, 10 Marks

PSIR 5d "India's current foreign policy marks significant qualitative shifts from that of the previous regimes." Discuss. UPSC 2018, 10 Marks

PSIR 5e Analyse the significance of India's Look East Policy in the light of concerns of the indigenous peoples of North-east India. UPSC 2018, 10 Marks

PSIR 6a India's coalitional diplomacy within the WTO has earned it wide appreciation. What accounts for the success of India's coalitional diplomacy? UPSC 2018, 20 Marks

PSIR 6b "India's capacity building programmes under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) has earned much goodwill for it in Africa." Discuss. UPSC 2018, 15 Marks

PSIR 6c "India's Research and Information System for Developing Countries" (RIS) is a major initiative in the area of South-South Cooperation. Discuss. 2018, 15 Marks

PSIR 7a Discuss the role of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) in promoting India's soft power abroad. UPSC 2018, 20 Marks

PSIR 7b Discuss the role of Indian diaspora in promoting Indo-US relations. UPSC 2018, 15 Marks

PSIR 7c Discuss the various impediments in India's way to a permanent seat in the Security Council. UPSC 2018, 15 Marks

PSIR 8a Do you think that India's capacity building role in Afghanistan has shrunk the strategic space for Pakistan there? Discuss. UPSC 2018, 20 Marks

PSIR 8b Critically assess the evolving convergence of India and China in the areas of trade and environment. UPSC 2018, 15 Marks

PSIR 8c Do you agree that the growing assertiveness of China is leading to multilayered Indo-Japan relations? Comment. UPSC 2018, 15 Marks