PSIR Optional · Paper II · Section A: Comparative Politics and International Relations
Key Concepts in International Relations Notes · PYQs · Solved Answers
Free notes, every previous year question and the solved answers for Key Concepts in International Relations (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: National interest, security and power; balance of power and deterrence; transnational actors and collective security; world capitalist economy and globalisation.
58
Solved answers
1992–2026
Years covered
62
Questions listed
12
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Free notes Previous year questions Solved answers All PSIR Optional units
Paper II · Unit 06
Key Concepts in International Relations notes
Topic-wise notes for this unit in syllabus order. Read a topic, then open its previous year questions below.
Free notes
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Balance of Power in International Relations
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Collective Security
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Collective Security in International Relations
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Deterrence in International Relations
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Elements of power
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National Interest in International Relations
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National Intrest
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Power in International Relations
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Security
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Security in International Relations
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Transnational Actors in International Relations
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World Capitalist Economy and Globalisation in International Relations
Free practice
Previous year questions: Key Concepts in International Relations
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: Key Concepts in International Relations
Model answers to the previous year questions of this unit, newest exam year first.
PYQ Solutions
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Answer in about 150 words: Discuss various methods of Balance of Power.
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Diplomacy has always rested on two pillars: Institutional memory and individual craft. Elaborate.
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Explain the non-traditional security threats in the context of food and environmental crises.
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Transnational actors have qualitatively transformed the world by the way of their fresh insights and actions. Illustrate your answer with suitable examples.
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Collective security and responsibility to protect (R2P) are similar but different in scope, goals and methods. Explain.
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National Interest is an essentially contested concept. Comment.
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Bipolar structure of the world is more stable than the multipolar one. Comment.
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Discuss the conceptual dimensions of collective security.
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What is ‘complex interdependence’? Discuss the role of transnational actors in the international system.
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Explain the concept of balance of power. What are the various techniques of maintaining balance of power?
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Enumerate the challenges in the operation of the principles related to collective security in the UN Charter.
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Discuss the utility of Nuclear Deterrence Theory in the context of the recent standoff between India and Pakistan.
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Identify the benefits of a multi-polar world.
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“Some feel Multinational Corporations (MNCs) are a vital new road to economic growth, whereas others feel they perpetuate underdevelopment.” Discuss.
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Discuss the changing nature of modern state with reference to transnational actors.
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How has the development of Global Capitalism changed the nature of socialist economies and developing societies?
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Explain the instruments and methods devised for the promotion of national interest.
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“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?
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Discuss the theory of Nuclear Deterrence. Did Nuclear Deterrence prevent a superpower war?
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Critically assess the changing nature of the concept of national security.
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How do you explain the growing importance of multi-national corporations (MNCs) and civil society in contemporary international politics?
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‘National Interests are Dynamic’. Identify the dynamic nature of National Interests in the contemporary world politics with suitable examples.
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‘Collective Security and Collective Defence are the institutional and State mechanisms to sustain the domination of powers that be in International politics.’ Elaborate.
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Is ‘terrorism’ an essentially ‘contested’ concept? What are the different manifestations of ‘terrorism’ as a concept, and as practice?
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What constitutes ‘national security discourses’? How far have the IR Feminists questioned how ‘security’ has been problematised?
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Is power a zero – sum or variable game in international relations? Can zero – sum game explain the mixture of conflict and cooperation of the present dynamics of international relations?
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Examine the idea of a ‘balance’ between ‘security’ and ‘liberty’ in modern international politics. Do you think the liberal international order is more ‘security – friendly?
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Why is the ‘polarity of power’ thesis less relevant and meaningful in the present architecture of ‘balance of power’?
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How would you explain the future of ‘Nuclear Deterrence’? Do you think that ‘preventive war’ is a good substitute for Nuclear Deterrence?
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Review the increasing role of Multi-National Corporations in the policy making process of developing countries.
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What is comprehensive approach to national security?
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Do you agree with the view that over-widening of the concept of ‘national security’ has made it a more amorphous concept? Discuss.
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Should National Interest be viewed as a constant category or is it situation- specific? Bring out your perspectives.
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Explain the meaning and application of the concept of ‘strategic engagement’.
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Assess in detail the prospects of the emergence of a nuclear-weapons free world.
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Explain the difference between security dilemma and insecurity dilemma.
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Explain the concept of ‘Hegemonic stability’.
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Comment: “International politics, like all politics, is a struggle for power.
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“A well-established system of collective security is a guarantee of world peace.” Explain.
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Comment: The realist vision of ‘national interest’.
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Comment: Balance of power and its impact on world politics.
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Discuss various elements and limitations of national power.
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Comment: Information Technology – an element of national power.
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Comment: Summit Diplomacy.
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Comment: National Interest and Ideology.
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Comment: Relevance of Diplomacy in the Nuclear Age.
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Comment: Power.
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Comment: Alliances.
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Comment: Effective government as a source of national power.
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“The relations of the Balance of Power to Collective Security have been at the same time complementary and antagonistic.” Elucidate.
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Comment: Council for Security Cooperation in Asia Pacific.
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Diplomacy is not only a technique of foreign policy implementation, but also an instrument by which other techniques-military and economic- can be successfully deployed. Discuss the significance of diplomacy in the conduct of foreign relations.
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“One of the truisms in world politics is that nothing is distributed equally on the face of the globe not people or their talent, not resources, not even climate, geographic features, technology or air quality.” Elucidate.
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Comment: National Interest and Capability.
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One cannot understand the international politics of arms control without taking into account the domestic political forces which have a stake in maintaining large defence expenditure. Analyse these force which help in promoting international arms races.
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Explain the essential rules of the balance of power system and evaluate the role which balance of power plays in the stability of the global order in a multi-polar system.
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Define Alliance. What is the role of Alliances in power politics? Discuss the relevance of Alliance in a nuclear age.
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Comment: Open versus Secret Diplomacy.
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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 | ❌ |
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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
- Changing International Political Order
- Evolution of the International Economic System
- United Nations
- Regionalisation of World Politics
- Contemporary Global Concerns