International Relations – Past Papers Analysis (CSS 2016-2020) by Aamir Mahar 

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International Relations (Paper – I) 

I. Introduction

  1. Examine the concept of National Power and its essential ingredients. (CSS 2016)
  2. The nation-state system is in a flux with an independence referendum in Scotland and another projected for Catalonia in September 2017. (CSS 2017)
  3. Critically evaluate reasons as to why the modern nation-state in Europe faces internal challenges to its sovereignty and territorial integrity. (CSS 2017)
  4. Describe the evolutionary process through which International Relations acquired the status of an academic discipline. (CSS 2018)
  5. Discuss the significant features of Treaty of Westphalia and the development of modern Nation-State System. (CSS 2019)

II. Theories & Approaches

  1. What are the essential differences between the liberal internationalist and realist theories? In your opinion, why is realism the most dominant theory in the discipline of International Relations? (CSS 2017)
  2. The positivist and post-positivist debate offers a striking contrast in terms of approach and methodology to the study of International Relations. Describe, compare and critically evaluate the divergence between the two debates. Are there any points of convergence? (CSS 2017)
  3. What are the points of convergence and divergence in Neo-Realist and Constructivist approaches to the study of state behavior in contemporary international politics? (CSS 2018)
  4. Discuss the concept of Idealism. Explain its core perceptions and define its agenda of peace for the stability of world. (CSS 2019)
  5. How the Neo-Realist and Constructive approaches differ over the study of state behavior in the contemporary international politics? (CSS 2020)

III. International Political Security

  1. Point out main goals of Foreign Policy of  states and determine the factors which influence  its making and implementation. (CSS 2016)
  2. What is the significance of security to states? How far do you agree that international security has given way to global security in face of new challenges of “Terrorism” and Human Security? (CSS 2016)
  3. The rise of China is being heralded as a return of ‘balance of power’ politics in international relations. As the world moves towards multipolarity, account for the essential features of the international security architecture and its evolving dynamics. (CSS 2017)
  4. What are the changing dimensions of security and how they vary from the classical concept of international security? (CSS 2018)
  5. Discuss the concept of Security in the post-Cold War era. Explain its changing dimensions and define its strength and weaknesses for the nation states. (CSS 2019)

IV. Strategic Approach 

  1. Is war a rational act of state policy? Explain in view of the wars fought in the 20th century.  (CSS 2016)
  2. Critically evaluate the strategically competitive dynamics of Pakistan-India relations in the context of Pakistan’s growing ties with China and India’s increased alignment with the United States.  (CSS 2017)
  3. Define the concept of Strategic Culture and highlight the major determinants of Pakistan’s Strategic Culture.  (CSS 2018)
  4. Discuss the concept of Hybrid and Social Media as a means of modern psychology warfare. Explain its characteristics and suggest measures to promote national security.  (CSS 2019)
  5. Define the concept of Strategic Culture and highlight the major determinants of Pakistan’s Strategic Culture. (CSS 2020)
  6. Describe the geo-strategic importance of Indian Ocean and highlight its impacts on Pakistan’s Maritime security. (CSS 2020)
  7. Critically evaluate the US Indo-Pacific policy. Do you believe the current US strategies are aimed all containing growing economic super power China? (CSS 2020)

V. International Political Economy

  1. Explain the concept of Economics Liberalism and relate its core interests with the concept of Neo-imperialism or creating Economic Dependency. (CSS 2018)
  2. Critically discuss the idea of Dependence  and Interdependence. Explain its advantages and disadvantages for the poor countries.  (CSS 2019)
  3. What do you understand by International Political Economy? How it promotes economic dependency in the developing states? (CSS 2020)
  4. Explain the concept of Economic Liberalism and relate its core interests with the concept of Neo-imperialism. (CSS 2020)

VI. International Political Community

  1. Define globalization and its attendant manifestations in global politics. Do you agree with the view that economic globalization is a form of neo-imperialism which only stands to exploit the Third World states?  (CSS 2017)
  2. Globalization is a buzz word of present day International Economic and Social Order; do you agree that it is transforming quickly the national cultures and politics?  (CSS 2018)

VII. Approaches to Peace

  1. Define International Law and explain its Nature. Is it of significance to the development of laws of war and their application? (CSS 2016)
  2. Describe the concept of Pre-Emptive Self-defense in the context of International Law and critically evaluate the legitimacy of US use of force against Iraq. (CSS 2018)
  3. Discuss the development of Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), define its main features and explain its status in present world.  (CSS 2019)
  4. Describe the concept of Pre-Emptive Self-Defense in the context of International Law and critically evaluate the legitimacy of US use of force against Iraq. (CSS 2020)

VIII. International Political Institution

  1. The non-state actor as a military competitor is gaining ground in the Middle East with the rise of ISIS. What strategies can the United Nations and major powers implement in order to ensure peace and security in Iraq and Syria. (CSS 2017)
  2. Pakistan is going to International Monetary Fund (IMF) for its bailout package to resolve its financial problems through prudent management. Discuss Pakistan’s external debt problems and domestic liabilities to stabilize country’s economic uncertainty. (CSS 2019)

Past Papers Analysis (CSS 2015-2020)

  1. Pakistan Affairs
  2. Political Science (Paper – I)
  3. Political Science (Paper – II)
  4. International Relations (Paper – I)
  5. International Relations (Paper – II)