Theories of the State: Liberal, Neo-liberal, Marxist, Pluralist, Post-colonial and feminist (PSIR PYQs)
| Year | Question | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Write on the following in about 150 words: Post-colonial theory of State. (10 marks) | View answer |
| 2025 | What is the Marxist and liberal approach towards the state? On what grounds the theoretical differences between them are premised? Explain. | View answer |
| 2024 | Write approximately 150 words on Pluralist theory of State. | View answer |
| 2023 | Eurocentrism is both the target and the motive force of the post-colonial political theory. Discuss. | View answer |
| 2022 | Examine the liberal theory of State in contemporary politics. | View answer |
| 2021 | Comment in about 150 words: Feminist critique of the State. | View answer |
| 2020 | Comment in 150 words: Post-colonial theory of the state. | View answer |
| 2019 | Comment: Pluralist theory of the State (150 words) | View answer |
| 2019 | What is the contemporary relevance of Marxism? | View answer |
| 2018 | Critically examine the neo-liberal -theory of State. | View answer |
| 2017 | Comment on Neo-liberal perspective of State (150 words) | View answer |
| 2016 | Discuss Feminist theory of the State. | View answer |
| 2015 | Examine the challenges to sovereignty of the State in the contemporary world. | View answer |
| 2013 | Discuss in what sense Marx's understanding of state can be considered as materialistic. | View answer |
| 2012 | What is meant by 'relative autonomy of State in Marxist analysis? | View answer |
| 2011 | Make all assessment of the post-colonial understanding of State. | View answer |
| 2010 | Evaluate Marx's instrumentalist approach to the State. | View answer |
| 2010 | Do you think that the modern nation-state has been declining in the wake of globalization? Justify your answer. | View answer |
| 2009 | Critically examine Hamza Alavi's formulation of the overdeveloped State. | View answer |
| 2007 | Comment: "State is the result of the irreconcilability of class antagonism". (Lenin) | View answer |
| 2007 | Comment: "Because the society is federal, the authority must also be federal". (Laski) | View answer |
| 2006 | Comment: Impact of Globalisation on State Sovereignty. | View answer |
| 2005 | Comment: "The discovery of Sovereign in a federal state is an impossible adventure." (Laski) | View answer |
| 2004 | Comment: "Society is federal, authority must be federal." (Laski) | View answer |
| 2003 | Comment: "The reason why men enter into civil society is the preservation of their property." (Locke) | View answer |
| 2002 | Comment: "Will, not force, is the basis of the state." (T. H. Green) | View answer |
| 2001 | Critically examine Marxist theory of the state with reference to the dictatorship of the proletariat. | View answer |
| 2000 | Comment: "I give the name to every state that is governed by laws, no matter what the form of its administration." (Rousseau) | View answer |
| 1994 | Comment: "As soon as a nation appoints representatives, it is no longer free, it no longer exists." (Rousseau) | View answer |
| 1993 | Examine critically the pluralist arguments against the theory of sovereignty. | View answer |
| 1993 | Examine the main issues involved in the Church- State controversy. What were its consequences? | View answer |
Syllabus unit: Theories of the State
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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