General Studies 2025 GS Paper II 10 marks 150 words Compulsory Elucidate

Q10

"With the waning of globalization, post-Cold War world is becoming a site of sovereign nationalism." Elucidate. (Answer in 150 words) 10

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें

"वैश्वीकरण के क्षीण होने के साथ, शीत युद्ध के बाद की दुनिया संप्रभु राष्ट्रवाद का स्थल बनती जा रही है।" स्पष्ट कीजिए। (उत्तर 150 शब्दों में दीजिए)

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Directive word: Elucidate

This question asks you to elucidate. The directive word signals the depth of analysis expected, the structure of your answer, and the weight of evidence you must bring.

See our UPSC directive words guide for a full breakdown of how to respond to each command word.

How this answer will be evaluated

Approach

The directive 'elucidate' demands a clear explanation that makes the relationship between globalization's decline and the rise of sovereign nationalism comprehensible through logical exposition. Structure: brief introduction defining the paradox of post-Cold War fragmentation → body analyzing drivers (economic protectionism, security anxieties, cultural backlash) with concrete manifestations → conclusion assessing whether this signals enduring multipolarity or cyclical adjustment.

Key points expected

Definition of 'waning globalization' referencing de-globalization indicators: trade-to-GDP ratio decline, reshoring trends, WTO dysfunction since 2008 crisis
Explanation of 'sovereign nationalism' as state-centric assertion: border walls, immigration restrictions, unilateral trade measures, rejection of supranational arbitration
Causal linkage: how economic interdependence created vulnerabilities (supply chain shocks, pandemic dependencies) triggering nationalist policy responses
Post-Cold War specificity: contrast with 1990s liberal triumphalism (Fukuyama, WTO expansion) versus current BRICS assertiveness, AUKUS, minilateralism
Regional manifestations: India's Atmanirbhar Bharat, US-China decoupling, Brexit, Russia-Ukraine war accelerating bloc formation
Critical nuance: whether this constitutes fundamental transformation or selective strategic autonomy within interdependence

Evaluation rubric

Dimension	Weight	Max marks	Excellent	Average	Poor
Demand-directive understanding	20%	2	Precisely interprets 'elucidate' as explanatory clarification of causal mechanisms; explicitly addresses both 'waning globalization' and 'sovereign nationalism' as interconnected phenomena rather than separate descriptions	Partially addresses both terms but treats them descriptively without establishing clear causal or correlational relationship; directive interpretation superficial	Misreads directive as mere description or argumentation; fails to connect the two phenomena or ignores either 'waning' or 'sovereign nationalism' component
Content depth & accuracy	20%	2	Demonstrates command of IR theory (realist resurgence, complex interdependence critique); accurately cites post-2008 turning points; distinguishes between de-globalization and slowbalization	Covers basic trends (Brexit, trade wars) with some theoretical framing but conflates symptoms with causes; limited historical specificity beyond obvious examples	Factual errors (e.g., dating trends to Cold War itself); conflates nationalism with patriotism; lacks theoretical grounding; generic assertions without temporal specificity
Structure & flow	20%	2	Tight 150-word architecture: 25-word thesis → 100-word analytical body with clear micro-transitions between economic, political, security dimensions → 25-word synthesis; no structural waste	Recognizable introduction-body-conclusion but uneven weighting (overlong examples, abrupt shifts); some redundancy within tight word limit	No discernible structure; bullet points or fragmented observations; exceeds word limit significantly or severely underwrites; illogical sequencing
Examples / case-law / data	20%	2	Deploys 2-3 precise, non-obvious illustrations: India's import substitution in pharmaceuticals post-COVID, CHIPS Act reshoring, RCEP vs. CPTPP divergence; quantitative hint (WTO dispute filings drop)	Standard examples (Brexit, Trump tariffs) without specificity; or over-relies on single region; examples mentioned but not analytically deployed	No examples; or irrelevant/outdated cases (Cold War nationalism); purely hypothetical illustrations; examples contradict the argument made
Conclusion & analytical edge	20%	2	Sophisticated synthesis: acknowledges dialectic (nationalism within globalized constraints) or projects trajectory (fragmented multilateralism); avoids both determinism and dismissal of structural shift	Restates thesis without development; or offers simplistic binary (globalization dead/alive); conclusion merely summarizes points made	No conclusion; or abrupt unsupported assertion; contradicts body of answer; purely normative prescription without analytical grounding

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