Pol. Science Optional by R.P Singh

Category
Optional
Test Date
08-10-2021 11:00 AM
Evaluated
Yes

To participate in answer writing program, Register yourself for the test. Copies will be evaluated only for the registered students. Registration will be closed before the scheduled date.

6 Days Answer Improvement Cycle

Day 1: Questions will be uploaded on the portal on the scheduled date at 11:00 AM.
Day 2 and 3: You have to write your answers on an A4 size sheet leaving margins on both sides based on UPSC pattern. After writing the answer, Click a picture of the answer sheet (Use CamScanner and ensure good quality images) and upload (in JPEG format) in the comment section of the same question.
Day 4 and 5: After evaluation, copies will be re-uploaded on the same thread on 5th day. Based on these answers and feedback, aspirants can ask their doubts in the comment box and our experts will guide. The model hint will be uploaded on the site on Day 4.
Day 6: Discussion of the question and one to one answer improvement session of evaluated copies will be conducted through Google Meet with concerned faculty.

Instruction:

Attempt One question out of the given two.
The test carries 15 marks.
Write Your answer in 150 words.
Any page left blank in the answer-book must be crossed out clearly.
After Writing the Answer upload your copy in JPEG format in the comment box.
Evaluated Copy will be re-uploaded on the same thread after 2 days of uploading the copy.
Discussion of the question and one to one answer improvement session of evaluated copies will be conducted through Google Meet with concerned faculty. You will be informed via mail or SMS for the discussion.

Question #1. Hobbes compromised individuality in creating Leviathan. But Locke balanced the individual sphere with that of the State. Discuss.

Question #2. Emerging situation in Afghanistan has potential to rewrite power balancing in South Asia. Do you agree? Give reasons.

(Examiner will pay special attention to the candidate's grasp of his/her material, its relevance to the subject chosen, and to his/ her ability to think constructively and to present his/her ideas concisely, logically and effectively).

Model Answer

Question # 1. Hobbes compromised individuality in creating Leviathan. But Locke balanced the individual sphere with that of the State. Discuss.

Hints

Hobbes and Locke were first set of thinkers in liberal European tradition who propounded contractarian theory of state. Both created an artificial state on the basis of flaws in state of nature and by using theory of natural law.

However, both thinkers differed on many points but more so on scope of natural rights retained by contracting parties in political society. For Hobbes, primary agenda was removing fear and anarchy as justification for foundation of Leviathan, while for Locke, the issue at hand was to establish three wings of government to make human transactions more certain and accurate and predictable.

Thus, there is general agreement among political commentators that negative liberty in Hobbes stands compromised at the altar of unified and centralised sovereignty of state. But, Locke, remained true champion of “individuality” by creating a limited state and government with essential feature of “constitutionalism”.

At the end it can be said that Hobbes has been a subject of varied political interpretation and hence possibly most misunderstood of the above two thinkers. Quentin Skinner, for example, said that Hobbes never compromised autonomy of individuals because state only removes external circumstances of fear that prohibits moral and prudent human actions that every individual essentially possess.

Question # 2.Emerging situation in Afghanistan has potential to rewrite power balancing in South Asia. Do you agree? Give reason.

Hints

What happened in Afghanistan was inevitable. More than rise of Taliban, a terrorist organisation becoming a state formal, the withdrawal of USA has larger implications for south Asia.

At least for now the “power vacuum” in Afghanistan seems to have ebbed. Thus, power balancing in South Asia in now more embedded in “great game” of Indo Pacific region. USA has withdrawn itself from quagmire of Afghanistan, which is part of South Asia, and focus fully on countering China in Indo Pacific. First in person meeting of QUAD in September, 2021 and sudden announcement of AUKUS as military alliance between US, UK and Australia are cases in point.

India being a member of elitist group QUAD, means a historical opportunity that comes in a century to shape the global decision making on vital issues and protect the national interest. Indo-US partnership was never so close and never so crucial for security and stability in Indo Pacific area.

However, the enhanced leverage of a “deep state” Pakistan is also a matter of deep concern for national security of India. However, it will be too early to say that new Taliban government in Afghanistan will be as instrumental for Pakistani establishment to be used against India. China too is hoping to include Taliban regime in CPEC.

Thus, rise of Taliban has certainly gave to many possibilities of rebalancing in South Asia.

Procedure of Answer Writing:

To participate in the answer writing program, Register yourself for the test. Copies will be evaluated only for the registered students. Registration will be closed after the scheduled date.

Answer Writing, Copy Evaluation, and Marks Improvement Cycle:

Step 1 (Theme, Details & Its Topics):

Every round of Answer writing initiative will be around a theme related to the Subject/Topic.
Please read the theme and its description, and try to cover the topics given within the theme before writing the answer along with the sources.

Step 2 (Answer Writing):

Questions will be uploaded on the portal on the scheduled date at 7:00 AM.
You have to write your answers on an A4 size sheet leaving margins on both sides based on the UPSC pattern.
Mention your name, email id, location, and phone number on the 1st page in the top right corner and the page number on each page.
After writing the answers, Click pictures of each page of your answer sheet, merge them all in a single PDF and upload them in the upload section of the same question.
Kindly submit your written answers before 7:00 PM. Only the first 100 copies will be considered for evaluation. No request for late submission or evaluation will be entertained once the 100 mark is reached.

Note: Answer sheets without the proper guidelines given above will not be accepted for evaluation.

Step 3 (Copy Evaluation): Copies will be evaluated in the next 72 hours of the test date. After evaluation, copies will be uploaded into your account. During the copy evaluation period, doubt clearing and discussion about the theme or topic of the test with respective mentors of the test will be done in the telegram group.

Step 4 (Mentorship): Evaluated copies will be sent to you via mail and also uploaded into your account on the website. After that a mentorship session for the marks improvement with respective faculty will be conducted on the Google Meet, so that students can get a wider perspective of the topics. Here you can discuss your evaluated copies also with the faculty. Top 5 copies of every test will be shared in the telegram group for reference.

Note: Aspirants who have not written the test can also participate in the mentorship session.

For Updates and Mentorship of the session, you will be notified through SMS or Telegram Group.

For Notification And Update About the Program Join Telegram Group at: https://t.me/gsscoreopendailyanswerwriting

Note: You have to write your answers on an A4 size sheet leaving margins on both sides based on UPSC pattern. Mention Your Name on 1st page and Page Number on each page. After writing the answer, Click pictures of each page of your answer sheet, merge them all in a single PDF and upload in the Your Answer Copy section of the same question.