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

Total Questions: 100

11. The contribution of India in the First and Second World War had been marginalised because:

Correct Answer: A. International Relations were Eurocentric
Solution:The contribution of India in both the First and Second World Wars was largely marginalized due to the Eurocentric nature of international relations during those times.

Eurocentrism refers to the tendency to view the world from a European or Western perspective, often neglecting or downplaying the roles and contributions of non-European regions and countries.

During the World Wars, the focus of historical narratives, academic studies, and media coverage was primarily on the major European powers involved in the conflicts.

The experiences and contributions of nonEuropean countries, including India, were often sidelined or overlooked. This Eurocentric bias led to the marginalization of India's significant contributions and sacrifices during both wars.

India played a substantial role in both conflicts. It contributed soldiers, labour, and resources to support the British war effort as part of the British Empire.

In fact, Indian soldiers made up one of the largest volunteer armies in World War I and played a crucial role in various theaters of the war.

Similarly, during World War II, India's contribution was significant, both in terms of its military involvement and the impact of the war on its society and economy.

However, due to the dominance of Eurocentric perspectives, these contributions were not always acknowledged or given appropriate recognition.

Over time, there has been a growing effort to rectify this historical oversight and recognize the important role that India and other non-European countries played during these global conflicts.

12. What was the positive impact of First World War on the colonised Global South?

Correct Answer: B. It strengthened anti-imperialist struggles
Solution:The positive impact of the First World War on the colonized Global South was that it strengthened anti-imperialist struggles. The war had significant effects on the colonial powers, weakening their economies and resources.

This created opportunities for colonized nations to push for greater autonomy and challenge the colonial rule imposed by European powers.

During the war, many colonies were called upon to contribute resources, manpower, and support to the war efforts of their colonial rulers.

This led to increased awareness among the colonized populations about the exploitation and inequality perpetuated by colonial rule.

Additionally, the war disrupted traditional trade routes and economic systems, causing hardships in the colonies and further fueling discontent.

As a result, many colonized nations and their leaders saw the war as an opportunity to demand greater self-determination and independence.

The weakening of the colonial powers' hold due to the war contributed to the rise of nationalist movements and anticolonial sentiments. The war inspired leaders in the Global South to seek a more active role in shaping their own destinies and to challenge the legitimacy of colonial rule.

This momentum created by the war eventually contributed to the decolonization process in the decades that followed, as many nations in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East gained independence from colonial rule.

13. When was League of Nations established?

Correct Answer: B. 1920
Solution:The League of Nations was the first worldwide intergovernmental organization whose principal mission was to maintain world peace. It was founded on 10 January 1920 by the Paris Peace Conference that ended the First World War.

14. India has adopted the policy of polycentricism due to:

Correct Answer: A. Changing Balance of Power at systemic level
Solution:India's adoption of the policy of polycentrism is primarily driven by the changing balance of power at the systemic level in international relations.

Polycentrism refers to a foreign policy approach where a country seeks to develop relationships and partnerships with multiple centers of power rather than aligning exclusively with a single power bloс.

India's foreign policy has historically been guided by the principles of non-alignment and strategic autonomy.

As the balance of power in the international system has shifted and new power centers have emerged, India has recognized the importance of engaging with various countries and blocs to safeguard its interests and promote its national security and economic development.

By adopting a polycentric approach, India aims to maintain flexibility in its foreign relations and avoid being overly dependent on any one power.

This approach allows India to cooperate with a diverse range of countries, including traditional allies, emerging powers, and even former adversaries, to achieve its strategic objectives and contribute to global stability.

15. Unipolarity in International system can be defined as:

Correct Answer: A. One state exercising most of cultural, economic and military influence
Solution:Unipolarity in the international system refers to a distribution of power where one state, often referred to as a "unipolar power". or "hegemon," holds significant cultural, economic, and military influence over other states.

In a unipolar system, this dominant state wields substantial control and often sets the tone for international relations, policy decisions, and global affairs. This concept is in contrast to bipolar or multipolar systems, where power is shared among two or more major actors.

16. India is demanding the restructuring of international organisations:

Correct Answer: A. For democratic World Order 'in which interest of Global South should also be represented
Solution:India, like many other countries from the Global South, has advocated for the restructuring of international organizations to create a more democratic world order that better represents the interests and perspectives of countries from regions such as Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

Many Global South countries believe that international organizations, such as the United Nations, should reflect the diversity of the international community and ensure that the interests of all nations are taken into consideration.

India's stance is rooted in the principles of equality, fairness, and inclusivity. It seeks to reduce the historical imbalances and biase that have often favored the Western countries or the Global North in international decisionmaking processes.

India, along with other nations, has called for reforms that give greater voice and representation to countries from the Global South in order to create a more just and equitable global order.

17. India's Act East policy aims to:

Correct Answer: C. Develop economic and security relations with ASEAN and East Asian nations
Solution:India's Act East policy is a strategic approach aimed at enhancing economic and security relations with countries in the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) region and East Asia.

The policy was introduced to build stronger economic, political, and cultural ties with these nations and promote India's engagement in the dynamic and growing economies of the East Asian region.

The Act East policy is an extension of India's previous Look East policy, which was initiated in the 1990s to foster closer relationships with Southeast Asian nations.

The policy involves promoting trade, investment, cultural exchange, and strategic cooperation with countries in the region.

It recognizes the importance of the ASEAN countries and East Asian nations as key partners in India's pursuit of economic growth, regional stability, and broader diplomatic engagement.

18. The World started moving towards multipolarity after:

Correct Answer: D. The end of the Cold War
Solution:The world started moving towards multipolarity after the end of the Cold War. The Cold War, which lasted from the late 1940s to the early 1990s, was characterized by a bipolar international system dominated by the United States and the Soviet Union.

However, with the collapse of the Soviet Union and the Eastern Bloc in the early 1990s, the Cold War ended and the world transitioned into a new era of international relations.

The end of the Cold War marked the decline of the bipolar structure and the emergence of a more diverse distribution of power among multiple major actors.

This transition contributed to the movement towards multipolarity, where various countries and regions gained prominence on the global stage, leading to a more complex and fluid international system.

19. Uighur Muslims in China are inhabitants of :

Correct Answer: A. Xinjiang
Solution:Uighur Muslims are an ethnic minority group predominantly inhabiting the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region in northwestern China. Xinjiang is a large and diverse region with a significant Uighur population.

The Uighurs have their own distinct language, culture, and religious practices, and their presence in Xinjiang has been a subject of international attention due to concerns about human rights abuses and cultural suppression.

20. In globalising world, the scope of discipline of International relations is:

Correct Answer: C. Expanding
Solution:In a globalizing world, the scope of the discipline of International Relations is expanding. Globalization has led to increased interconnectedness and interdependence among countries, resulting in a broader range of issues and actors that need to be studied and understood.

The traditional focus on stateto-state interactions has expanded to include a wide range of non-state actors, transnational issues, global institutions, and complex networks of economic, political, social, and cultural interactions.

As countries engage in trade, communication, and cooperation on a global scale, the field of International Relations has evolved to encompass various aspects of international politics, economics, culture, technology, environment, and security.

This expansion reflects the need to address the complexities and challenges that arise from the increasing interactions and interrelationships among states, organizations, individuals, and societies around the world.