UGC NET/JRF EXAM, INTERNATIONAL & AREA STUDIES, February-2023 (PAPER-II)

Total Questions: 100

1. Who was the Indian king who had captured parts of Afghanistan?

Correct Answer: A. Maharaja Ranjit Singh
Solution:Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the founder and leader of the Sikh Empire in the early 19th century, is the Indian king who captured parts of Afghanistan.

He was known for his military prowess, diplomatic skills, and his efforts to expand and consolidate his empire. Ranjit Singh’s reign extended from 1801 to 1839, and during this time, he managed to capture several regions in present-day Afghanistan.

Singh’s expansion into Afghanistan was driven by both strategic and political factors. He aimed to establish a buffer zone between his empire and the British-controlled territories in India.

He also sought to control trade routes and establish dominance over the northwest region. One of the most notable conquests was the capture of the city of Peshawar in 1818.

Peshawar was a crucial gateway to Afghanistan and Central Asia. Ranjit Singh’s forces successfully captured the city and integrated it into his empire. Additionally, he gained

control over parts of the Punjab region in present-day Pakistan, which also extended into areas of Afghanistan.

It's worth noting that while Ranjit Singh was successful in capturing parts of Afghanistan, his control over these territories was not always stable, and there were conflicts with various Afghan factions and other regional powers.

Nevertheless, his expansion into Afghanistan marked a significant chapter in the history of the region's geopolitical dynamics.

2. Battle of Haldighati was fought between:

Correct Answer: B. Akbar and Maharana Prataр
Solution:The Battle of Haldighati was fought between Akbar and Maharana Pratap. The Battle of Haldighati, fought in 1576, was a significant conflict between the Mughal forces led by Akbar's general Man Singh I and the Rajput forces led by Maharana Pratap.

It's known for its historical importance in the context of the struggle between the Mughal Empire and the Rajput rulers.

3. Which Treaty ended the Thirty years war in Europe?

Correct Answer: C. Treaty of Westphalia
Solution:The Treaty of Westphalia refers to a series of treaties that ended both the Thirty Years' War (1618-1648) and the Eighty Years' War (1568-1648) involving various European powers.

The Thirty Years' War was one of the most destructive and complex conflicts in European history, involving religious, political, and territorial disputes.

The Peace of Westphalia consisted of two main treaties: the Treaty of Münster and the Treaty of Osnabrück, which were signed in 1648 in the cities of Münster and Osnabrück, respectively.

These treaties collectively brought an end to the hostilities that had been ongoing for decades and had devastating effects on the European continent.

4. Which school considers 'Balance of Power' essential for International peace

Correct Answer: A. Realist School
Solution:The concept of the "Balance of Power" is a central tenet of the Realist school of thought in international relations. Realism emphasizes the importance of power and selfinterest in international politics.

According to realists, in order to maintain stability and prevent the dominance of any single state or group of states, a balance of power must be maintained among different actors in the international system.

This balance of power is believed to be essential for preventing one state from becoming too powerful and potentially threatening the security of others.

Realists argue that states act primarily to maximize their own security and interests, and in a world with limited international governance, the balance of power serves as a mechanism to prevent aggression and maintain stability.

The concept suggests that when one state becomes too strong, other states will form alliances or take other actions to counterbalance that power.

While the Realist school emphasizes the role of power and security concerns, other schools of thought, such as the Liberal school, focus more on cooperation, international institutions, and shared norms as ways to achieve and maintain international peace.

5. Morgenthau defined 'National interest' as:

Correct Answer: B. Power
Solution:Hans J. Morgenthau, a prominent figure in the field of international relations and a key proponent of the Realist school of thought, defined "National interest" as power.

According to Morgenthau, states are primarily motivated by the pursuit of power and their national interests are defined in terms of the accumulation and maintenance of power on the international stage.

He believed that the international system is characterized by competition for power among states, and the actions of states are guided by their calculations of power and self-interest.

6. Who introduced the concept of 'Structural Realism'?

Correct Answer: A. Kenneth Waltz
Solution:Kenneth Waltz, an influential international relations scholar, introduced the concept of "Structural Realism." He is known for his work in the field of international relations theory and is associated with the neo-realism or structural realism school of thought.

In his seminal work "Theory of International Politics," Waltz outlined the key principles of structural realism, which emphasizes the impact of the international system's structure on state behaviour.

He categorized international relations into three levels: individual, state, and international system, and argued that the structure of the international system, rather than just the nature of individual states, is a significant factor in shaping their behaviour.

7. Who proposed the notion of 'Collective Security System':

Correct Answer: B. Cardinal Richelieu
Solution:Cardinal Richelieu, a prominent figure in 17th-century France and the chief minister to King Louis XIII, is often attributed with proposing the notion of a "Collective Security System."

He emphasized the importance of maintaining a balance of power in Europe to prevent any single state from becoming too dominant and destabilizing the region.

While the concept of collective security as we understand it today wasn't fully developed during Richelieu's time, his ideas laid the groundwork for later developments in international relations theory, particularly the idea that cooperation among states can contribute to the overall stability and security of the international system.

8. The Non-western theories had been marginalised in the discourse of International relation due to:

Correct Answer: A. Hegemonic Status of the West
Solution:Non-western theories and perspectives in the discourse of international relations have historically been marginalized due to the hegemonic status of the Western powers.

Western countries, especially in the period of colonialism and post-colonialism, held significant economic, political, and military power, which allowed them to shape the dominant narratives and theories in the field of international relations.

The theories and ideas originating from the West often gained prominence and were considered the standard, while non-western theories were often overlooked, dismissed, or relegated to the periphery of the discourse.

This was partly due to the power dynamics that existed between Western and non-western countries, with Western countries holding significant influence over academic and intellectual institutions.

As a result, non-western perspectives and theories were often marginalized, and the field of international relations became dominated by Western viewpoints.

Over time, there has been growing recognition of the need to incorporate diverse perspectives and voices from around the world in order to have a more comprehensive understanding of international relations.

9. Which of the following can be understood as positivist approaches to International Relations?

Correct Answer: A. Realism, Neo realism, Neo liberalism
Solution:The positivist approaches in international relations theory are characterized by their emphasis on empirical observation, scientific methods, and the belief that international relations can be studied and understood through systematic analysis.

Realism, Neorealism, and Neo-liberalism are all considered positivist approaches because they attempt to explain international relations using observable behaviours, interactions, and patterns among states and actors.

10. The role of Non-state actors and global social movements have:

Correct Answer: A. Widened the scope of study of International relations
Solution:The role of non-state actors and global social movements has indeed widened the scope of the study of international relations. Traditionally, international relations focused primarily on interactions among states.

However, the increasing influence of nonstate actors such as non-governmental organizations (NGOs), multinational corporations, international organizations, and global social movements has expanded the range of actors involved in shaping international dynamics.

Non-state actors play significant roles in various aspects of international relations, including diplomacy, human rights, environmental protection, trade, and humanitarian assistance.

Global social movements, which can mobilize across borders and focus on issues like human rights, environmental conservation, gender equality, and social justice, also contribute to shaping the international agenda and interactions between states.

The inclusion of these non-state actors and social movements has led to a broader understanding of international relations that goes beyond the traditional state-centric perspective.

It has prompted scholars and analysts to consider a more complex and multifaceted landscape of international interactions, where both state and non-state actors play crucial roles.