1. Political Science: Paper 1 (2012)
    1. SECTION – A
    2. SECTION – B
  2. Political Science Paper 2 (2012)
    1. SECTION – A
    2. SECTION – B

Political Science Mains 2012: Paper 1

SECTION – A

  1. Sub questions (150 words each)
    1. Difference between normative and empirical theories of politics.
    2. Difference between equality of opportunity and equality of outcome.
    3. Difference between Liberal and Radical forms of Feminism.
    4. Hannah Arendt’s conception of the ‘political.
    5. Issues of debate in contemporary democratic theory.
  2. Sub questions
    1. What is meant bu ‘relative autonomy’ of State in Marxist analysis?
    2. Comment on the Marxist and Radical Humanist phases of M.N. Roy’s thought.
    3. Examine the multi-cultural perspectives on rights.
  3. Sub questions
    1. ‘Locke is an individualist out and out’. Substantiate this statement.
    2. Distinguish between the concepts of legitimacy and hegemony.
    3. Why is ‘affirmative action’ important in provision of equal opportunity?
  4. Sub questions
    1. Examine the Gandhian idea of village community as an ideal unit of self-governance.
    2. Draw parallels between Arthashastra tradition and the ‘Realist’ tradition represented by Machiavelli.
    3. Write a note on the Buddhist tradition in Indian political thought.

SECTION – B

  1. Sub Questions: 150 words each:
  1. Efficacy of Satygraha as moral resistance colonial rule.
  2. Judicial activism and social change.
  3. Role of National Commission for Women in India
  4. Demands for the creation of new States in India
  5. Doctrine of Basic Structure of the Indian Constitution.

7. sub questions

  1. Discuss the extent to which the Indian Constitution reflects successful reconciliation of alternative perspectives.
  2. Examine the relevance of Directive Principles in the era of liberalisation and globalization.

8. sub questions

  1. Examine the impact of coalition-politics on Indian political system.
  2. Critically examine Green Revolution as a strategy for sustainable agriculture development.

9. sub questions

  1. Examine the efficacy of available mechanisms for resolving inter-State dispute in India.
  2. Discuss the impact of environmentalist movement on government policies in recent years.

Political Science Paper 2 (2012)

SECTION – A

  1. 150 words each:
    1. Examining political phenomena through a process of cross-global investigation has become the fundamental function of Comparative Politics.” Discuss.
    2. How did the struggle for representation increase the level and quality of democracy in the industrial societies?
    3. Do you agree that liberal international theories are essentially ‘Eurocentric’ and not necessarily imperialist?
    4. Review the increasing role of Multi National Corporations in the policy making process of developing countries.
    5. Why is the ‘polarity of power’ thesis less relevant and meaningful in the present architecture of ‘balance of power’?
  2. Sub questions
    1. What are the great debates between ‘classical’ and ‘modern’ realists ? Is there any thin line of continuity between these two traditions?
    2. Does the perspective of Dependencies Theory offer a robust critique on the nature of mainstream development process taking place in Africa and Latin America?
    3. Is ‘terrorism’ an essentially ‘contested’ concept ? What are the different manifestations of ‘terrorism’ as a concept, and as practice?
  3. 200 worlds each:
    1. What have been the main challenges to India’s foreign policy in the last two decades? Are these essentially ‘concerns’ with domestic politics or ‘strategic’ issues?
    2. What constitutes ‘national security discourses’ ? How far have the IR Feminists questioned how ‘security’ has been problematised ?
    3. Evaluate the nature and distinctions of anomic and associational interest groups in the pressure politics of developing countries.
    4. Elucidate the transdisciplinary nature of modern comparative politics and identify the modern comparative politics and identify the contributions of political sociologists towards this goal.
  4. 250 worlds each:
    1. How far have the UN reform efforts of 2004-05, transformed the concept of ‘Sovereignty’ as a fundamental principle of International Law ?  Do you think that UN reform discourse represents a ‘biopolitical reprogramming’ of contemporary sovereignty and global governance?
    2. How would you explain the future of ‘Nuclear Deterrence’ ? Do you think that ‘preventive war’ is a good substitute for Nuclear Deterrence ?
    3. examine the significance of ideological and policy aspects in the structural growth of modern political parties.

SECTION – B

  1. 150 worlds each:
    1. Illustrate the issue of illegal cross-border migration in South Asia and its impact on regional alliances and bilateral relations.
    2. “Human Rights constitute the Third Generation of Rights.” Analyse the range and complex dimension of Human Rights in the globalised era.
    3. Is there any linkage between a shift in China’s relations with Japan to a perceived shift in her relations with India? Examine in the light of China’s so-called ‘anti-encirclement struggle’.
    4. Comment on the essential elements of India’s foreign policy that are required to secure energy and security in the Indian Ocean region.
    5. is it correct to conclude that the ‘Arab Street’ revolutions have radically altered the political power scenario of the West Asian countries?
  1. 250 worlds each:
    1. How would you describe the contemporary words beyond the language of ‘North/South’ and ‘Developed/Developing’? Is the present transformation driven by domestic compulsion, or external overall crisis of the global economy?
    2. Is power a zero-sum or variable game in international relations? Can zero-sum game explain the mixture of conflict and cooperation of the present dynamics of international relations?
    3. Assess the scope and importance of setting up the Public Diplomacy Division in the Ministry of External Affairs in strengthening India’s Foreign Policy.
  2. 200 worlds each:
    1. 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.
    2. Bring out linkage between environmental degradation and neo-corporatism in the globalised era.
    3. “Nations and States have become virtually synonymous.” Elucidate.
    4. “Despite the potentialities, India’s ‘Look East Policy’ requires a major course correction”. Discuss.
  3. 250 worlds each:
    1. 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.?
    2. What are the political and environmental contexts of the Siachen Glacier conflict? Comment on the possibility of environmental peace-keeping and collaborative arrangements being worked out with Pakistan on this aspects.
    3. Examine the idea of a ‘balance’ between ‘security’ and ‘liberty’ in modern international politics. Do you think that the liberal international order is more ‘security-friendly’?