Embarking on the journey of civil services preparation demands a strategic approach, and for aspirants with Political Science and International Relations (PSIR) as their optional subject, understanding the evolving dynamics of global politics is paramount. In the realm of UPSC Mains, one crucial aspect that aspirants often delve into is the analysis of previous year questions. In this blog series, we unravel the intricacies of the PSIR optional syllabus, focusing specifically on the “Changing International Political Order” from 2013 to 2023. Exploring the past decade’s questions not only offers a comprehensive insight into the examination pattern but also sheds light on the evolving nature of global geopolitics, enabling aspirants to formulate a strategic approach towards this dynamic subject.
The significance of comprehending the nuances of the “Changing International Political Order” lies in its relevance to contemporary world affairs. As the global political landscape undergoes seismic shifts, understanding the historical context, emerging trends, and evolving paradigms becomes indispensable for aspirants aiming to navigate the complex web of international relations. This blog series aims to serve as a beacon for PSIR enthusiasts, guiding them through the intricacies of each year’s questions, unraveling the thematic threads that weave through the examination, and equipping them with the knowledge and analytical tools necessary to tackle this challenging yet fascinating optional subject.
Changing International Political Order – Previous Year Questions (UPSC CSE Mains PSIR Optional)
Rise of superpowers; Strategic and ideological Bipolarity, arms race and cold war; Nuclear threat
1. Comment: Pax Americana. (1991)
2. The new world order as conceived by USA is an effort to re-establish the American century in military terms as the American economic and industrial dominance of the last 50 years is lost. Comment. (1993)
3. Assess the role of the rim countries of the Indian Ocean in taking it a peace zone in the post- Cold War era. (1998)
4. Do you think Cold War still exists after the disintegration of the Soviet Union? (2003)
5. How would you differentiate the post-Cold War global order from its predecessor? (2007)
6. Explain how far Deutsch’s model explains the framework of international interdependence. Do you think that the processes of interdependence and integration have grown steadily in the post-Cold War globalization trajectory? (2009)
7. Identify the major changes in the International Political economy in post-Cold War period. (200 words) (2013)
8. What does the pace of nuclear proliferation in post-Cold War suggest? (150 words) (2013)
9. Discuss the evolution of non-proliferation of nuclear weapons in the post-Cold War Period.(2016)
10. Examine in brief the rise and fall of the Cold War. (2016)
11. “The development of advanced missile Gulf War technology and nuclear threat by North Korea has challenged the American hegemony in South-East Asia. Evaluate the above statement in the context of recent developments in the region. (2017)
12. Discuss the consequences of Trump’s “America First” and Xi’s “Chinese Dream” on World Politics. (2018)
13. Critically analyze the implications of Sino American strategic rivalry for the South and South- East Asian region. (2020)
- Cuban Missile Crisis
1. Comment: Cuban Missile as a factor in U.S. relationship with the U.S.S.R. (2001)
2. Analyse critically the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962 as an instance of super – power relations during the Cold War period. (2004)
- Oil Crisis
1. Comment: Oil crisis: Its impact on India’s development strategy. (2006)
- Afghan Civil War
1. Critically examine the roots of Afghan Civil War. What role the Soviet Union and the United States played in it? (2002)
2. “The Afghan Civil War gave the US a long-awaited upper hand in South Asia”. Elaborate.(2007)
- Gulf War
1. Comment: Iraq after the Gulf War. (1992)
2. Comment: The Gulf Crisis 1991-92. (1999)
Non-aligned Movement: Aims and Achievements
1. Comment: NAM in the post-Cold War era. (1993)
2. Comment: Agenda before NAM. (1995)
3. “The change in the position of the people of Asia and Africa and their relations with Europe was the surest sign of the advent of a new era.” Discuss. (1997)
4. “In a uni- polar world, non-alignment has lost its relevance.” Do you agree with this view? Give arguments in support of your answer. (1999)
5. Do you agree with the stand that the Non-Aligned Movement needs to be reinvented? (2000)
6. Comment: Relevance of Non-Alignment in Post-Cold war era. (2005)
7. Bring out your perspective on Plausible aims of the Non – Aligned Movement in the post- Cold War period. (2010)
8. Do you think that Iran’s ‘victory’ in the NAM on the nuclear issue has brought in a new debate on the relevance of the Non-Aligned Movement? (250 words) (2012)
9. Highlight the major features of Non alignment 2.0 document. (200 words) (2013)
10. 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)
11. Discuss the significance of Non-Aligned Movement as a unique contribution of the Non- Western world to World Politics. (2018)
12. Write a brief note on the 17th NAM Summit in Venezuela. (2019)
13. Discuss the ways to strengthen the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) to enable it to address the challenges faced by the developing countries. (2020)
Collapse of the Soviet Union; Unipolarity and American hegemony; Relevance of nonalignment in the contemporary world.
1. Comment: Perestroika. (1991)
2. Comment: Disintegration of the Soviet Union and the threat of nuclear proliferation. (1992)
3. Comment: Impact of the collapse of the Soviet Union on international politics. (2004)
4. Identify the challenges to American hegemony in post-Soviet world. (150 words) (2013)
5. Discuss the collapse of the Soviet Union and its impact on international politics. (2015)
6. Discuss the positive and negative impacts of Soviet Union’s disintegration on developing nations. (2016)
7. Critically examine the decline of the United States of America as a hegemon and its implications for the changing international political order. (2021)
8. Russian-Ukraine crisis has cast a dark shadow on the energy needs of the member states of the European Union (EU). Comment(2022)
- Major issues of World Politics: Miscellaneous Issues
1. Comment: Racialism in South Africa. (1991)
2. Comment: China’s Middle Kingdom Complex. (1992)
3. Discuss the prospects of peace in West Asia in view of the changes in the US and Israeli policy and attitudes in this regard. (1992)
4. Nation-State is currently exposed to disintegrative tendencies from within and integrative tendencies from without. Elucidate the statement in the context of developments in Europe. (1993)
5. Comment: Palestinian Homeland issue and the West Asian crisis. (1993)
6. Comment: Peace in West Asia. (1994)
7. Comment: Hamas and peace in West Asia. (1996)
8. Comment: Palestine-Israel conflict in the present context. (1998)
9. Examine the Israel-Arab conflict as a conflict of interest between the U.S.A. and the Soviet Union. (2000)
10. The Arab-Israeli conflict is basically a conflict between two resurgent nationalisms. Do you agree with the above assertion? Give reasons in support of your answer. (2001)
11. The growth and possession of WMD has seriously undermined international security. Discuss.(2008)
12. “Ukraine crisis is a product of power politics and geo-politics.” Comment. (2014)
13. What is the realist prescription to the States to ensure their survival in an anarchical world?(2022)
14. Discuss the reasons behind India’s refusal to sign the nuclear non-proliferation treaty (NPT).(2022)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What is the significance of the “Changing International Political Order” in the context of the UPSC PSIR optional syllabus?
Understanding the dynamics of the changing international political order is crucial for PSIR aspirants as it forms a core component of the optional subject. This section delves into the evolving nature of global politics, encompassing shifts in power, emerging trends, and the historical context that has shaped the contemporary international scenario.
Q: How can analyzing previous year questions on the changing international political order enhance preparation for the UPSC Mains examination?
Delving into previous year questions provides aspirants with valuable insights into the pattern and focus areas of the UPSC examination. By scrutinizing questions from 2013 to 2023, candidates can identify recurring themes, assess the depth of understanding required, and tailor their preparation to align with the evolving expectations of the examiners.
Q: What key themes and topics are commonly covered under the “Changing International Political Order” in the UPSC PSIR optional paper?
The changing international political order encompasses a broad spectrum of themes, including geopolitical shifts, the role of major global players, emerging challenges, and the impact of historical events on contemporary politics. Familiarizing oneself with these recurring themes aids aspirants in formulating a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the subject.
Q: How does a grasp of the changing international political order contribute to a candidate’s ability to analyze current affairs for the UPSC examination?
The knowledge gained from studying the changing international political order serves as a foundation for critically analyzing current affairs. Aspirants equipped with an understanding of global shifts are better positioned to contextualize contemporary events, identify underlying geopolitical factors, and present well-informed perspectives in their answers.
Q: In what ways does the “Changing International Political Order” reflect the evolving nature of global geopolitics and its impact on nation-states?
Exploring this aspect of the PSIR syllabus unveils the intricate interplay between states on the global stage. As the international political order undergoes transformations, it influences the strategies, alliances, and policies of nation-states. Analyzing this evolution provides aspirants with a holistic view of how global dynamics shape the behavior of individual countries in the international arena.
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