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Political Science & IR 2022 Paper II 50 marks Critically examine

Paper II — Q3

(a) Critically examine the rise of People's Republic of China (PRC) as a great power and its implications on Asian Political…

(a) Critically examine the rise of People's Republic of China (PRC) as a great power and its implications on Asian Political order. (20 marks) (b) Discuss the conceptual dimensions of collective security. (15 marks) (c) Discuss the efficacy of global conventions to combat international terrorism. (15 marks)

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें

(a) जनवादी चीन गणराज्य (पी आर सी) का एक महान शक्ति के रूप में उदय तथा एशियाई राजनीतिक व्यवस्था पर इसके निहितार्थों का आलोचनात्मक विवेचन कीजिए। (20 अंक) (b) सामूहिक सुरक्षा के वैचारिक आयामों की विवेचना कीजिए। (15 अंक) (c) अंतर्राष्ट्रीय आतंकवाद का सामना करने हेतु वैश्विक अभिसमयों की प्रभावोत्पादकता की विवेचना कीजिये। (15 अंक)

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Directive word: Critically examine

This question asks you to critically examine. 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 'critically examine' for part (a) requires balanced analysis with both strengths and limitations, while 'discuss' for parts (b) and (c) demands comprehensive coverage of multiple dimensions. Allocate approximately 40% of time and words to part (a) given its 20 marks, and roughly 30% each to parts (b) and (c). Structure with a brief integrated introduction, three distinct sections for each sub-part with clear sub-headings, and a conclusion that synthesizes implications for India's foreign policy and regional security architecture.

Key points expected

  • Part (a): Economic rise through Deng's reforms, BRI, military modernization (A2/AD capabilities, aircraft carriers), and assertion of territorial claims in South China Sea and Taiwan; implications including power shift from US-led order, ASEAN centrality erosion, and formation of minilateral groupings (Quad, AUKUS)
  • Part (a): Critical analysis of 'peaceful rise' narrative versus assertive wolf warrior diplomacy, debt-trap diplomacy concerns, and responses by regional powers including India's Act East Policy and border standoffs
  • Part (b): Conceptual foundations of collective security (Walter Lippmann, Inis Claude), distinction from collective defense and security alliances, UN Charter Chapter VII provisions, and conditions for success (indivisibility of peace, universal membership, great power concert)
  • Part (b): Critique of collective security failures (League of Nations, Korean War bypassing UN, Russia-Ukraine conflict veto paralysis) and contemporary relevance in Asian context
  • Part (c): Major conventions—UNGA Resolutions 2625, 1373; 13 sectoral conventions including Terrorist Financing Convention 1999, Nuclear Terrorism Convention 2005; FATF and its grey list mechanism
  • Part (c): Efficacy gaps—lack of universal definition of terrorism, state-sponsored terrorism (Pakistan's role in 26/11, Pathankot), non-state actor challenges, and India's proposed Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT) blocked at UN
  • Part (c): India's bilateral and regional counter-terrorism cooperation (SAARC RATS, BIMSTEC, Shanghai Cooperation Organization) and domestic legal framework (UAPA amendments, NIA Act)

Evaluation rubric

DimensionWeightMax marksExcellentAveragePoor
Demand-directive understanding20%10For (a), demonstrates 'critical examination' by presenting China's rise objectively while interrogating both liberal and realist interpretations; for (b), explains 'conceptual dimensions' through theoretical lineage and operational conditions; for (c), evaluates 'efficacy' with explicit success-failure criteria rather than mere descriptionAddresses all three parts but treats (a) as descriptive narrative, (b) as definition-heavy without theoretical depth, and (c) as list of conventions without systematic efficacy assessmentMisinterprets directives—describes instead of critically examines in (a), confuses collective security with collective defense in (b), or merely enumerates conventions without efficacy analysis in (c)
Content depth & accuracy20%10Demonstrates command across all three domains: for (a) cites specific GDP milestones, military modernization phases, and Doklam/Galwan implications; for (b) references Claude's 'Swords into Plowshares' and distinguishes collective security from collective defense; for (c) names specific conventions with years and India's CCIT proposal detailsCovers all parts with generally accurate information but lacks specificity—vague on Chinese economic data, conflates collective security concepts, or misses key conventions like ICSFT 1999Significant factual errors—anachronistic claims about China's rise, confuses collective security with NATO-type alliances, or omits major conventions like the Terrorist Bombings Convention 1997
Structure & flow20%10Clear tripartite structure with explicit sub-headings for (a), (b), (c); logical internal progression in each (thesis-antithesis-synthesis for critical examination; concept-condition-critique for collective security; convention-assessment-reform for terrorism); smooth transitions between parts showing thematic interconnectionAll three parts present but unevenly developed; (a) may dominate disproportionately, or parts may read as disconnected essays without integrative framing; some organizational clarity but inconsistent sub-structuringPoorly demarcated parts, confusing (b) and (c) content, or rambling narrative without paragraph discipline; missing introduction or conclusion that addresses all three components
Examples / case-law / data20%10Rich empirical grounding: for (a) cites specific years of GDP surpassing Japan (2010), military spending figures, and incidents like 2020 Galwan clash; for (b) references League of Nations Article 16, UN Article 43 agreements, and Gulf War coalition; for (c) cites 26/11 Mumbai attacks, Pulwama 2019, and specific FATF grey-listing of Pakistan 2018-2022Some examples present but generic—'China's economic growth' without figures, 'UN failures' without specific cases, 'terrorist attacks' without naming incidents or dates; Indian examples sparse or missingVirtually example-free or inaccurate examples; no Indian case references; confuses historical events or cites non-existent conventions; fails to ground theoretical claims in empirical evidence
Conclusion & analytical edge20%10Synthesizes all three parts into coherent argument about evolving Asian security architecture—China's rise challenges collective security mechanisms, which in turn fail against terrorism, requiring India to navigate complex multipolarity; offers policy recommendations (reforming UN Security Council, advancing CCIT, strengthening Quad counter-terrorism cooperation)Brief conclusion summarizing each part separately without integration; generic observations about need for cooperation; no clear India's strategic position articulatedMissing conclusion or abrupt ending; mere restatement of question; contradictory final positions; no forward-looking policy implications or connection to contemporary developments

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