State in Comparative Perspective: PSIR Optional PYQs

State in comparative perspective: Characteristics and changing nature of the State in capitalist and socialist economies, and, advanced industrial and developing societies.

  1. How far has interdependence among states undermined sovereignty? (1991)
  2. Comment: Military Industrial Complex. (1992)
  3. ‘Despite a number of trends to the contrary, the State has been and remains the primary actor in the global system. Elucidate the statement by analysing the factors which helped create State and the reasons for the primacy of States as actors in International Relations. (1992)
  4. “Although transnationalism is an important force in contemporary world politics, it is premature to speak of the demise of the nation-state, given the continued attachment to nationalism felt throughout the world.” In the light of this statement, discuss the role of nation-state as an actor in international relations. (1996)
  5. “Nations and States have become virtually synonymous.” Elucidate. (200 words) (2012)
  6. ‘A minimal State ensures maximum of Individual Liberty.’ Examine the concept of Minimal State. (250 words) (2013)
  7. Do you subscribe to the view that the modern constructs of the State and politics are preeminently Eurocentric and not indigenous and appropriate for the analysis of non-western societies? (2015)
  8. “A combination of internal pressures (Ethnic and regional forces) and external threats (EU, UN, TNC, Global market, etc.) has produced what is commonly referred to as a ‘crisis of the nation-state’.” Elaborate. (2016)
  9. Describe the changing nature of the State in the developing societies in the context of inclusive growth in the 21“century. (2018)
  10. The modernization thesis asserts that affluence breeds stable democracy. How do you explain the success of India being the world’s largest democracy as an exceptional case? (2021)
  11. What are the difficulties faced by a political theorist in comparing the States? (2023)
  12. What are the distinctive features of the post-modern state in the advanced capitalist economies? Analyse. (2024)
  13. Discuss the factors responsible for the changing nature of states in contemporary industrial societies and explain its impact. (2026) [20 marks]

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