Political Ideologies: Liberalism, Socialism, Marxism, Fascism, Gandhism and Feminism (PSIR PYQs)
| Year | Question | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Write on the following in about 150 words: Herbert Marcuse turned Freudianism on its head in his critical theory. (10 marks) | View answer |
| 2026 | Wollstonecraft developed first systematic feminist critique. Discuss her main ideas. (15 marks) | View answer |
| 2025 | Mention the difference between Italian and German brands of fascism. | View answer |
| 2025 | "State ………. does the greatest harm to mankind by destroying individuality, which lies at the root of all progress." — Mahatma Gandhi. Elucidate. | View answer |
| 2025 | Explain how the slogan 'the personal is political' addresses the issue of women's oppression and discrimination? | View answer |
| 2024 | Write approximately 150 words on Decline of Liberalism. | View answer |
| 2023 | Fascism displays an ambivalent stance towards parliamentary democracy. Explain. | View answer |
| 2022 | Factors like community, culture and nation weaken the hegemony of neo-liberalism today. Discuss. | View answer |
| 2022 | Write on the “Revolution in Permanence”. | View answer |
| 2021 | "Political ideology is primarily concerned with the allocation and utilization of power." Comment. | View answer |
| 2020 | Comment in 150 words Liberalism as a revolutionary idea. | View answer |
| 2019 | Comment: End of Ideology debate. | View answer |
| 2019 | Distinguish between liberal feminism and radical feminism. | View answer |
| 2018 | Comment in 150 words: "Nothing against the State, nothing over it, nothing beyond it." – Mussolini. | View answer |
| 2018 | John Locke is the father of liberalism. Explain. | View answer |
| 2017 | Comment on Post-modernism (150 words) | View answer |
| 2017 | Define Socialism. Discuss the salient features of Fabian Socialism. | View answer |
| 2017 | Comment on Eco-feminism (150 words) | View answer |
| 2017 | Write a brief note on "The End of History debate". | View answer |
| 2016 | "The Political ideology of Globalization is Nee-Liberalism." Comment. | View answer |
| 2015 | Discuss the key features of pre-Marxist socialist theory. | View answer |
| 2014 | Comment on the view that socialism in the 21st century may be reborn as anti-capitalism. | View answer |
| 2014 | Examine the conception of the State in the ideologies of Fascism and Marxism. | View answer |
| 2013 | Comment in 150 words: "Personal is political" | View answer |
| 2013 | Discuss the communitarian critique of liberalism. | View answer |
| 2012 | Comment on the difference between Liberal and Radical forms of Feminism. (150 words) | View answer |
| 2011 | Examine the debate on the 'End of Ideology'. | |
| 2010 | Comment: 'Personal is political' | View answer |
| 2010 | Distinguish between liberal feminism and socialist feminism in detail. | View answer |
| 2009 | Comment: "Woman has always been man's dependent, if not his slave; the two sexes have never shared the world in equality." (Simone de Beauvoir) | View answer |
| 2009 | Comment: "Socialism is a much used hat, whose original shape no one can define." (C. E. M. Joad) | View answer |
| 2008 | Comment: "Fascism is the destruction of liberal ideas and institutions in the intere$t of those who own the instruments of economic power." (Laski) | View answer |
| 2005 | Do you agree with the view that liberal theories are based on 'atomism', whereas communitarians have a 'social thesis'? Present your line of argument. | View answer |
| 2005 | "The root of politics, according to Marx, does not lie in the state; it lies in the social conditions underlying this institution, that is, in the material conditions of life as reflected through the mode of production." Comment. | View answer |
| 2001 | Define ideology. Critically examine the "End of Ideology". Debate | View answer |
| 1995 | Analyse the post-Marxian developments in socialist thought. | View answer |
| 1992 | Do you agree with. the view that 'liberal democracy has won the historic battle of ideologies. | View answer |
| 1991 | Comment: 'The mode of production in material life determines the general character of the social, political and spiritual problems of life’. (Karl Marx). | View answer |
Syllabus unit: Political Ideologies
PSIR Optional study material from LotusArise IAS
Two ways to prepare with us — the full self-study system, or just the notes you need right now.
| 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 | ❌ |
| Revision booklets for the last 60 days | ✅ Available now | ❌ |
| Format | Online articles + PDF | PDF download |
| Access | Valid until UPSC CSE Mains 2027 | Instant download after payment |
| Price | ₹1,770 (regular ₹5,000) | ₹1,180 for all four sections · ₹599 a paper · ₹354 a section |
| Best for | Aspirants who want the whole system in one place | Aspirants who want the notes now, in the parts they need |
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