Embarking on the journey of preparing for the UPSC Mains examination is a formidable task, especially for aspirants choosing Political Science and International Relations (PSIR) as their optional subject. The Regionalisation of World Politics, a crucial segment within the PSIR syllabus, has gained significant prominence in recent years. In this blog series, we delve into the treasure trove of wisdom offered by the previous year questions from 2013 to 2023, meticulously dissecting the nuances of this topic. Aspirants will find a comprehensive analysis and strategic insights into how the UPSC has approached questions related to the regional dynamics shaping global politics. This exploration not only aids in deciphering the examination pattern but also offers a profound understanding of the evolving global geopolitical landscape.
Unraveling the threads of the Regionalisation of World Politics, we embark on a quest to decipher the intricacies embedded in the UPSC Mains questions over the past decade. Each year’s set of questions serves as a compass guiding aspirants through the diverse aspects of regional dynamics, power structures, and the impact of globalization on geopolitics. As we navigate through this temporal tapestry, aspirants will gain a holistic perspective on the evolving nature of global political trends and challenges. Beyond the quest for examination success, the journey promises a deeper comprehension of the forces shaping the world order, empowering aspirants not just as candidates but as informed individuals ready to contribute to the discourse of international relations. Join us in this intellectual expedition as we unfold the pages of the past, seeking to illuminate the path for those aspiring to master the intricacies of Regionalisation of World Politics in the UPSC Mains examination.
Regionalisation of World Politics – Previous Year Questions (UPSC CSE Mains PSIR Optional)
EU, ASEAN, APEC, SAARC, NAFTA
1. Comment: G–77. (1991)
2. Comment: Political and legal status of C.I.S. (1994)
3. Comment: OAU and conflicts in Africa. (1995)
4. Comment: Russia and NATO. (1995)
5. Comment: US role in the OAS. (1996)
6. Comment: Maastricht Treaty. (1997)
7. Comment: West Asian Peace Conference at Madrid, 1991. (1997)
8. Comment: SAPTA and SAFTA. (1997)
9. Comment: The European Union. (1999)
10. Comment: ‘ASEAN’ as third world model of regional cooperation. (2002)
11. Comment: Obstacles in the way of SAARC’s smooth functioning. (2003)
12. How did the European Union emerge as a successful case of regional organization? Is it replicable in other regions? (2004)
13. Outline the constraints SAARC is facing to emerge as an effective regional organisation. (2008)
14. The effort in restricting illegal migration from Mexico to U.S.A. and Canada has been one major gain for the United States through NAFTA. Comment. (200 words) (2012)
15. Give reasons for Regionalisation of world politics. (200 words) (2013)
16. Substantiate APEC as a regional economic and trade arrangement. (200 words) (2013)
17. “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 )
18. ‘The European Union has become the most politically influential, economically powerful and demographically diverse regional entity in the world.’ Discuss. (2015)
19. How does the regionalism shape the world politics? Explain with examples. (2016)
20. American President Donald Trump’s proposal to withdraw from the ‘NAFTA’ would bring unforeseen consequences to the regionalisation of world politics. Elaborate. (2017)
21. How has ‘ BREXIT’ affected the regionalisation process initiated by European Union and what could be its likely impacts in the regionalisation process of world politics? (2017)
22. “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. (2018)
23. Evaluate the role of BIMSTEC in multisectoral technical and economic cooperation. (2019)
24. Critically analyze the role of ASEAN in the promotion of regional peace and security through economic cooperation and trade. (2020)
25. Explain the success of ASEAN as a regional organisation. (2021)
Democracy, human rights, environment, gender justice, terrorism, nuclear proliferation
1. Comment: Human Rights in the US foreign policy. (1992)
2. Comment: Sovereign Nation State and International concern for Human Rights. (1994)
3. Comment: Technology and state sovereignty over water resources. (1996)
4. People are concerned about the degradation of the environment and the problems that go with it. Discuss the international response. (1998)
5. Comment: Agenda 21 and after. (1999)
6. “Moral claims of today become the human rights of tomorrow.” Trace the efforts in the international protection of human rights in the twentieth century. (2001)
7. Comment: Human rights and humanitarian intervention. (2002)
8. Critically examine the protection and enforcement of Human Rights under the U.N. system.(2003)
9. Comment: The need for, and the hindrances to the development of a common global approach to ecological concerns. (2004)
10. Comment: Sustainable Development. (2005)
11. Comment: Basic issues in movements for Gender Justice. (2005)
12. Comment: In what sense has gender justice’ become an urgent global concern today? (2007)
13. “Development in contemporary discourse has dimensions larger than just economic.” Bring out the significance of this statement. (2007)
14. What is the significance of the increasing global diffusion of nuclear and long-range delivery vehicle technology? (2009)
15. Comment on the contribution of global feminism to the consolidation of global civil society.(2009)
16. Discuss the different perspective on global environment that have emerged in the context of the Copenhagen Summit. (2010)
17. Answer the following: “Either terrorism triumphs or civilization triumphs.” (2011)
18. How far have the UN reform efforts of 2004-5, transformed the concept of ‘Sovereignty’ as a fundamental principle of International Law? Do you think that UN reforms discourse represents a ‘biopolitical reprogramming’ of contemporary sovereignty and global governance? (250 words) (2012)
19. “Human Rights constitute the Third Generation of Rights.” Analyse the range and complex dimension of Human Rights in the globalised era. (150 words) (2012)
20. Bring out linkages between environmental degradation and neo -corporatism in the globalised era. (200 words) (2012)
21. Identify the role and place of Gender in the global economy. (200 words) (2013)
22. Compare and contrast Sino-India approaches to global Environmental concerns. (200 words)(2013)
23. What roles do norms, taboos and epistemic communities play in the context of nuclear proliferation? (200 words) (2013)
24. State the place of Gender Justice in global political agenda. (150 words) (2013)
25. ‘Global commons belong to global society and requires global attention/ Comment. (150 words) (2013)
26. “The Feminist approach to international politics is biased.” Comment. (2014)
27. Critically evaluate the approaches of global south towards addressing environment concerns. (2014)
28. ‘The struggle for democracy has been marked by bitter strife and tribulations.’ Examine the statement, illustrating the cases of Pakistan, Nepal and Myanmar. (2015)
29. 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)
30. Why does global human security need to be emphasized along with economic security? Explain with examples. (2016)
31. Examine the main problems and challenges involved in looking after environmental concerns in world politics. (2016)
32. Give an assessment of the Feminist critique of contemporary global issues. (2017)
33. The recent move of 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 prospective on climate control. (2017)
34. 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. (2018)
35. Critically examine the notion of “Asian Values” in the context of the on-going debates on human rights. (2018)
36. Discuss the implications of the Trump-Kirn Singapore Summit on the prospects of denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula. (2018)
37. Discuss the importance of personal data protection in the context of human rights. (2019)
38. Is democracy promotion in developing countries a feasible idea? (2019)
39. 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)
40. Bipolar structure of the world is more stable than the multipolar one. Comment.(2022)
41. Discuss the efficacy of global conventions to combat international terrorism.(2022)
Intermitants of foreign policy/Foreign policy of different countries, Role of Ideology
1. Discuss with reference to the USA, how domestic factors influence the foreign policy of the country. (1991)
2. Comment: Ideological basis of Chinese foreign policy in the post Mao period. (1993)
3. Comment: Role of Ideology in International Relations. (1995)
4. Comment: Economic determinants of Chinese foreign policy. (1995)
5. Comment: Role of idiosyncratic factors in foreign policy. (1996)
6. Russian foreign policy is described as the “tyranny of the weak”. Explain how judiciously Russia has made use of her weakness vis-a-vis the West and USA. (1996)
7. Examine the changing perspective of the US foreign policy towards South Asia in recent times and its implications for prospects of peace in the region. (1999)
8. Comment: National interest and national peculiarities: A guide to foreign policy. (2001)
9. Describe and assess the role and importance of Geo-political and Geo-economic factors in the determination of foreign policy of a country. (2005)
10. Comment: Define geopolitics and account for its prevalence even in the modem nuclear age.(2007)
11. Comment on the recent trends in Russia’s foreign policy. (2010)
12. Who was Mr. ‘X’ in international politics? Elaborate his approach to foreign policy. (2014)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the significance of the Regionalisation of World Politics in the UPSC Mains exam?
Understanding the importance of this topic in the UPSC Mains exam helps aspirants tailor their preparation to align with the evolving trends in global geopolitics. This FAQ explores the relevance of regional dynamics in shaping international relations and its implications for aspirants aiming to excel in the PSIR optional paper.
2. How have previous year questions on Regionalisation of World Politics evolved over the years?
Delving into the changing patterns of questions can provide valuable insights for UPSC aspirants. This FAQ seeks to analyze the trends and variations in the examination’s approach to this topic, enabling candidates to anticipate potential themes and focus areas.
3. What are the key subtopics under the Regionalisation of World Politics that candidates should prioritize?
Breaking down the broad subject into manageable components is essential for effective preparation. This FAQ addresses the specific subtopics within Regionalisation of World Politics that aspirants should concentrate on, aiding in a more targeted and efficient study plan.
4. How can understanding regional dynamics contribute to a broader comprehension of global geopolitics?
This FAQ explores the interconnectedness of regional politics with the larger global context. It sheds light on how grasping regional dynamics enhances a candidate’s ability to analyze and comprehend the broader forces influencing world politics, thereby providing a holistic perspective.
5. Are there contemporary examples that illustrate the impact of regionalisation on world politics?
Real-world examples are crucial for reinforcing theoretical knowledge. This FAQ highlights contemporary case studies that exemplify the influence of regionalisation on global affairs, offering aspirants practical insights to fortify their understanding and application of the subject in the UPSC Mains examination.
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