Paper II — Q1
Answer the following in about 150 words each: (a) Discuss the political economy approach to the comparative analysis of politics…
Answer the following in about 150 words each: (a) Discuss the political economy approach to the comparative analysis of politics. (10 marks) (b) "Political parties and pressure groups are sine qua non of democracy." Comment. (10 marks) (c) "Marxist approach to the study of international relations has lost its relevance in the post-cold war era." Comment. (10 marks) (d) What measures have been undertaken by the United Nations for its reforms? (10 marks) (e) Discuss the five proposals made by India in the recent COP-26 conference held in Glasgow. (10 marks)
हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें
निम्नलिखित में से प्रत्येक का लगभग 150 शब्दों में उत्तर दीजिए : (a) राजनीति के तुलनात्मक विश्लेषण के राजनीतिक अर्थव्यवस्था उपागम की विवेचना कीजिए । (10 अंक) (b) "राजनीतिक दल एवं दबाव समूह लोकतंत्र के लिये अपरिहार्य हैं ।" टिप्पणी कीजिए । (10 अंक) (c) "शीतयुद्ध उत्तरोत्तर काल में अन्तर्राष्ट्रीय संबंधों के अध्ययन के लिये मार्क्सवादी उपागम की प्रासंगिकता समाप्त हो गई है ।" टिप्पणी कीजिए । (10 अंक) (d) संयुक्त राष्ट्र ने अपने सुधारों के लिये क्या उपाय किये हैं ? (10 अंक) (e) हाल में ग्लासगो में हुए सी ओ पी-26 सम्मेलन में भारत द्वारा रखे गए पाँच प्रस्तावों की विवेचना कीजिए । (10 अंक)
Directive word: Discuss
This question asks you to discuss. 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 'discuss' requires presenting multiple perspectives with critical analysis across all five sub-parts. Allocate approximately 30 words (20% time) per sub-part given equal 10-mark weightage. For (a), begin with defining political economy approach; for (b), adopt a balanced 'comment' stance; for (c), critically evaluate Marxist relevance post-1991; for (d), enumerate UN reforms chronologically; for (e), list India's COP-26 proposals with brief context. Maintain parallel structure: definition → core argument → contemporary relevance for each part.
Key points expected
- (a) Political economy approach: distinguishes from institutional/behavioural approaches; cites Marx, Adam Smith or Douglass North; explains how economic structures shape political outcomes; mentions dependency theory or world-systems analysis
- (b) Political parties and pressure groups: defines sine qua non; explains representative function of parties and interest articulation by pressure groups; balances positive (pluralism) and negative (elite capture, lobbying) dimensions; cites Indian examples like farmers' protests or electoral reforms
- (c) Marxist IR relevance: acknowledges decline of bipolarity but cites continued relevance through Gramscian hegemony, Wallerstein's world-systems, uneven development, climate imperialism; counters with alternative frameworks (constructivism, liberal institutionalism)
- (d) UN reforms: Security Council expansion (G4, UfC), peacekeeping reforms (Brahimi Report), ECOSOC revitalisation, Secretariat transparency, financial reforms; mentions specific reports like 2004 High-Level Panel
- (e) India's COP-26 proposals: Panchamrit (five nectar elements) — net-zero by 2070, 500 GW non-fossil by 2030, 50% renewable energy, reducing carbon intensity by 45%, net-zero emissions; mentions LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) initiative
Evaluation rubric
| Dimension | Weight | Max marks | Excellent | Average | Poor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Demand-directive understanding | 20% | 10 | Correctly interprets 'discuss' for (a) and (d) as exploratory analysis, 'comment' for (b) and (c) as balanced critical evaluation with thesis-antithesis-synthesis, and 'what' for (d) as descriptive-enumerative; adjusts tone and depth accordingly across all five responses without conflating directives | Uses generic 'discuss' format for all parts without adjusting for 'comment' or 'what'; treats (b) and (c) as purely descriptive rather than evaluative; misses directive-specific expectations | Misidentifies directives or uses single template for all five parts; writes argumentative essay where description needed, or remains descriptive where critical evaluation required |
| Content depth & accuracy | 20% | 10 | For (a) distinguishes political economy from other comparative approaches with theorist names; for (b) captures dialectical essence of sine qua non claim; for (c) presents post-Cold War Marxist scholarship accurately; for (d) names specific reform initiatives by year; for (e) accurately lists all five Panchamrit elements with targets | Covers all five parts superficially with generic descriptions; conflates political economy with public policy; treats Marxist IR as purely Soviet-era; lists only 2-3 UN reforms or COP proposals with inaccuracies | Major factual errors: confuses political economy with behaviouralism, omits pressure groups entirely, declares Marxism 'dead' without nuance, lists non-existent UN reforms, invents COP-26 proposals or confuses with COP-21 Paris |
| Structure & flow | 20% | 10 | Each 150-word segment follows distinct micro-structure: (a) approach-definition-theorists-application; (b) assertion-functions-critique-balanced verdict; (c) thesis-evidence-counter-evidence-synthesis; (d) chronological/thematic enumeration; (e) numbered proposals with significance; clear visual separation between parts | All five parts follow identical paragraph structure without adaptation; some parts lack clear introduction or conclusion; transitions between arguments within parts are abrupt | No demarcation between sub-parts or runs them together; single continuous essay format; no internal structure within any 150-word segment; violates word limit significantly in some parts |
| Examples / case-law / data | 20% | 10 | (a) cites specific theorists (Lijphart, Przeworski, or Marx/Wallerstein); (b) references Indian cases—AAP as party-movement, farmers' protests 2020-21, Narmada Bachao Andolan; (c) cites contemporary Marxist analysis of global financial crisis 2008 or climate debt; (d) mentions Brahimi Report 2000, Annan reforms, G4 proposal specifics; (e) quantifies Panchamrit targets precisely | Generic examples without specificity—'some political parties' or 'UN made some reforms'; no Indian cases for (b); no dates or report names for (d); approximates COP-26 proposals | No examples across any part; or irrelevant examples (using NATO for UN reforms, using Kyoto Protocol for COP-26); fabricated data or theorist attributions |
| Conclusion & analytical edge | 20% | 10 | Each 150-word unit ends with crisp analytical takeaway: (a) synthesis on political economy's contemporary relevance; (b) nuanced verdict on indispensability vs. democratic deficit; (c) balanced assessment—Marxism transformed, not obsolete; (d) critical note on reform implementation gaps; (e) connects India's proposals to climate justice and CBDR-RC principle; demonstrates inter-part thematic awareness | Descriptive endings without analytical closure; repetitive summaries rather than synthesis; no connection between parts; generic 'thus we see' conclusions | No conclusions for individual parts; or abrupt endings mid-argument; contradictory conclusions across parts (e.g., praising UN reforms in (d) while critiquing global institutions in (c) without reconciliation) |
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