KEY CONCEPTS IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
NATIONAL INTEREST
1. Explain the instruments and methods devised for the promotion of national
interest. [250words, 20marks] [2016]
2. 'National interests are dynamic'. Identify the dynamic nature of national interest in
contemporary world politics with suitable examples. [200words, 15marks] [2013]
3. Should National Interest be viewed as a constant category or is it situation-
specific? [200words, 20marks] [2010]
4. 'National interest and national peculiarities: A guide to foreign policy.' Discuss. [200words, 20marks] [2001]
5. Comment: National Interest and Ideology. [200words, 20marks] [1999]
SECURITY AND POWER
1. Critically assess the changing nature of the concept of national security. [200words, 15marks] [2014]
2. What constitutes ‘national security discourses’ ? How far have the IR Feminists questioned how ‘security’ has been problematised ? [200words, 15marks] [2012]
3. Is power a zero-sum or variable game in international relations ? Can a zero-sum game explain the mixture of conflict and cooperation of the present dynamics of international relations ? [250words, 20marks] [2012]
4. 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’? [250words, 20marks] [2012]
5. What is a comprehensive approach to national security? [20marks] [2011]
6. Do you agree with the view that over-widening of the concept of ‘national security’ has made it a more amorphous concept? Discuss. [40marks] [2011]
7. Examine the changing nature of security in the recent times. [200words, 20marks] [2010]
8. Explain the difference between security dilemma and insecurity dilemma. [200words, 20marks] [2018]
9. International politics, like all politics, is a struggle for power. Comment. [200words, 20marks] [2006]
10. Discuss changing nature and dynamics of national security. [200words, 20marks] [2002]
11. Discuss various elements and limitations of national power. [60marks] [2002]
12. Discuss information Technology as an element of national power. [200words, 20marks] [2000]
13. International politics, like all politics, is a struggle for power. Comment. [60marks] [2000]
14. Comment: Power. [200words, 20marks] [1998]
15. Discuss, 'effective government as a source of national power’. [200words, 20marks] [1997]
BALANCE OF POWER
1. Explain the concept of balance of power. What are the various techniques of maintaining balance of power? [250words, 20marks] [2020]
2. Identify the benefits of a multi-polar world. [200words, 15marks] [2019]
3. 'The notion of balance of power is notoriously full of confusion'. In the light of this quotation do you think that the concept of balance of power is relevant? [200words, 15marks] [2016]
4. Why is the ‘polarity of power’ thesis less relevant and meaningful in the present architecture of ‘balance of power’? [150words, 12marks] [2012]
5. Explain the concept of ‘Hegemonic stability’. [200words, 20marks] [2008]
6. Discuss balance of power and its impact on world politics. [200words, 20marks] [2003]
7. Comment: Alliances. [200words, 20marks] [1998]
8. The relations of the Balance of Power to Collective Security have been, at the same time complementary and antagonistic. Elucidate. [60marks] [1997]
DETERRENCE
1. Discuss the utility of Nuclear Deterrence theory in the context of the recent stand-off between India and Pakistan. [150words, 10marks] [2019]
2. Discuss the theory of Nuclear Deterrence. Did nuclear deterrence prevent a superpower war? [200words, 15marks] [2015]
3. How would you explain the future of ‘Nuclear Deterrence’? Do you think that ‘preventive war’ is a good substitute for Nuclear Deterrence ? [250words, 20marks] [2012]
4. Define 'geopolitical' and account for its prevalence even in the modern nuclear age. [200words, 20marks] [2007]
5. Discuss relevance of Diplomacy in the Nuclear Age. [200words, 20marks] [1999]
TRANSNATIONAL ACTORS
1. Some feel that multinational corporations (MNCs) are a vital new road to economic growth, whereas others feel they perpetuate underdevelopment. Discuss. [200words, 15marks] [2018]
2. Discuss the changing nature of modern state with reference to transnational actors. [200words, 15marks] [2017]
3. How do you explain the growing importance of MultiNational Corporations (MNCs) and civil society in contemporary international politics? [250words, 20marks] [2014]
4. Transnational actors have become driving forces of global politics. Elaborate. [250words, 20marks] [2013]
5. Review the increasing role of MultiNational Corporations in the policy making process of developing countries. [150words, 12marks] [2012]
COLLECTIVE SECURITY
1. Enumerate the challenges in the operation of the principles related to collective security in the UN Charter. [200words, 15marks] [2020]
2. Collective Security and Collective Defence are the institutional and state mechanism to sustain the domination of powers that be in international politics. Elaborate. [200words, 15marks] [2013]
3. A well established system of collective security is a guarantee of world peace. Explain. [200words, 20marks] [2006]
4. The relations of the Balance of Power to Collective Security have been at the same time complementary and antagonistic. Elucidate. [60marks] [1997]
WORLD CAPITALIST ECONOMY
1. How has the development of Global Capitalism changed the nature of Socialist economies and developing societies? [200words, 15marks] [2017]
2. How far the existing international economic order is unjust and hegemonic towards developing countries ? [60marks] [2002]
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