PSIR Optional · Paper II · Section A: Comparative Politics and International Relations
Evolution of the International Economic System Notes · PYQs · Solved Answers
Free notes, every previous year question and the solved answers for Evolution of the International Economic System (Paper II, Section A: Comparative Politics and International Relations), arranged so you can read a topic and immediately see how UPSC has asked it. Syllabus: From Bretton Woods to WTO; socialist economies and the CMEA; the Third World demand for a new international economic order.
25
Solved answers
1991–2026
Years covered
26
Questions listed
5
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Paper II · Unit 08
Evolution of the International Economic System notes
Topic-wise notes for this unit in syllabus order. Read a topic, then open its previous year questions below.
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Previous year questions: Evolution of the International Economic System
Every question UPSC has asked from this unit, year-wise, with a link to its solved answer.
Topic-wise question list
Year-wise question papers
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UPSC PSIR Optional Question Paper 2026
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PSIR Optional Question Paper 2025
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PSIR Optional Question Paper 2024
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PSIR Optional Question Paper 2023
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PSIR Optional Question Paper 2022
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PSIR Optional Question Paper 2021
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PSIR Optional Question Paper 2020
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PSIR Optional Question Paper 2019
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PSIR Optional Question Paper 2018
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PSIR Optional Question Paper 2017
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PSIR Optional Question Paper 2016
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PSIR Optional Question Paper 2015
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PSIR Optional Question Paper 2014
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PSIR Optional Question Paper 2013
Solved answers
Solved PYQ answers: Evolution of the International Economic System
Model answers to the previous year questions of this unit, newest exam year first.
PYQ Solutions
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How did the Council of Mutual Economic Assistance (CMEA) reflect geo-political division of the world during the cold war?
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Trump’s unilateral imposition of reciprocal tariffs on scores of countries poses impending threat to the future of the rule-based multilateral global trading system under the WTO. What options do the WTO members have to salvage the organization?
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The return of trade barriers and economic sanctions has diminished the spirit of GATT. In this context, discuss the factors contributing to the decline of WTO in recent times.
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Identify and evaluate the reasons for deadlock in the WTO negotiations on fisheries between the developing and developed countries.
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Critically evaluate the role of the United States of America in the World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute settlement mechanism and its implications for the future of the WTO.
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Explain the significance and importance of the demand raised by the developing countries for a New International Economic Order (NIEO). Are they likely to achieve their objectives of NIEO in foreseeable future?
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How are the rising powers challenging the USA and Western dominance in the IMF and the World Bank?
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Explain the concept of the North-South divide and suggest how structural inequalities between the high wage, high investment industrial North and low wage, low investment predominantly rural South can be reduced.
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“The IMF, World Bank, G-7, GATT and other structures are designed to serve the interests of TNCs, Banks and investment firms in a “New Imperial age’.” Substantiate with examples of governance of new world order.
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Sketch the journey of global political economy from Washington consensus to the present. (150 words)
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Explain the role of non – state actors, like IMF, World Bank, European Union and MNCs, in modulating and transforming the broad dynamics of international relations.
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How has geo-economics replaced geo-politics in the present International scenario?
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Elaborate the factors which cause North South divide in the age of globalisation.
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Comment: Main features of WTO.
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How far the existing international economic order is unjust and hegemonic towards developing countries?
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Identify some of the major issues challenging the North-South countries.
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Liberalization and Globalization are feared by the developing countries, as the Trojan Horses of the developed countries. Elucidate.
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Comment: The New International Economic Order.
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Bring out the contradiction between Internationalism and Globalisation.
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Comment: North -South conflict at Rio.
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Comment: Intellectual Property Rights and free world trade.
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Comment: GATT treaty and developing countries.
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Discuss the Third World perspective on the causes and cures of underdevelopment.
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The central focus of global politics is no longer the conflict between Socialism and Capitalism, but North versus South. Explain.
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Examine the problems and prospects of South-South economic cooperation.
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| What you get | PSIR Mains Master Kit 2027 | PSIR Complete Notes (Store) |
|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 notes — Political Theory + Indian Government and Politics | Included | Included — Section A and Section B |
| Paper 2 notes — Comparative Politics and India and the World | Included | Included — Section A and Section B |
| Topic-wise PYQ bank | 1986–2026, with trend analysis and probables by Dec 2026 | 1991–2025 question papers, free with every notes pack |
| Practice question set for timed answer writing | ✅ Available now | ❌ |
| Answer toolkit — intros, conclusions, frameworks, thinker and example banks | By Dec 2026 | ❌ |
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| Price | ₹1,770 (regular ₹5,000) | ₹1,180 for all four sections · ₹599 a paper · ₹354 a section |
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Other units in Paper II · Section A: Comparative Politics and International Relations
- Comparative Politics
- State in Comparative Perspective
- Politics of Representation and Participation
- Globalisation
- Approaches to the Study of International Relations
- Key Concepts in International Relations
- Changing International Political Order
- United Nations
- Regionalisation of World Politics
- Contemporary Global Concerns