UGC-NET (NTA) Human Rights and Duties, June-2023

Total Questions: 100

91. Read the passage carefully and then answer the questions.

Third generation rights were not merely new, or rights that were not covered under the first two generations of civil-political and social economic and cultural rights but signified radically new principles beyond the scope of the language of rights in the first two generations.
Apart from the end of Cold War, there were various social and political developments that led to a new language of rights among which prominent was the rise of movements for environmental justice, for peace and for nuclear disarmament.
Environmental Struggles brought into relief the principle of 'intergenerational equity' further problematising the idea of equality. The World Commission on Environment and Development stated that sustainable development ensures that needs of future generations will not be compromised while present generation needs are met' (Brundtland Report 1987, p-170). In philosophical terms.
John Rawls had conceptualized this responsibility through his 'savings principle' where the contracting parties will agree 'to a savings principle subject to the further condition that they must want all previous generations to have followed it' (1993, 274).
Movements for peace articulated new ideas about 'collective interests' that have to be fought by humanity as such and there are no natural (social) constituencies that would struggle for peace. Such issues could be fought not solely around interests but common concerns about the well-being and the very future survival of humanity.
Similarly, the anti nuclear campaign foregrounded 'a post-Westphalian mode of frame-setting' by foregrounding justice 'for all those affected by a given social structure or institution: (Fraser 2005. p.82). While national interests prompted nuclear deterrence, its the post-Westphalian frame that could envisage global peace.
It is the spirit and the vision of some of these novel principles that got encapsulated in third-generation rights, such as the right to development.
What development led to adopt Right to Development as an important next generation right?

Correct Answer: A. Idea of equity in the field of environment
Solution:

The development that led to the adoption of the Right to Development as an important next-generation right is closely associated with the idea of equity in the field of the environment. The passage mentions that environmental struggles brought into relief the principle of 'intergenerational equity', which further problematized the idea of equality.
The World Commission on Environment and Development emphasized that sustainable development ensures that the needs of future generations will not be compromised while meeting the needs of the present generation.
This concept of intergenerational equity and the recognition of common concerns about the well-being and future survival of humanity contributed to the emergence of novel principles encapsulated in third-generation rights, including the Right te Development.

92. The "Principle of savings" was advocated for:

Correct Answer: A. All generations to follows
Solution:

The "Principle of savings", as advocated by philosopher John Rawls, entails an agreement among contracting parties to follow a savings principle, contingent upon the condition that they would want all previous generations to have adhered to it.
This principle reflects a sense of intergenerational equity, emphasizing the responsibility to ensure that the needs of future generations are not compromised while addressing the needs of the present generation.
It signifies a forward-looking approach that seeks to safeguard the interests and well-being of successive generations, thereby contributing to the conceptualization of responsibilities beyond immediate concerns and promoting sustainable development.

93. The 1987 Brundtland Report does not deal with which of the following?

Correct Answer: C. Nuclear Disarmament
Solution:

The 1987 Brundtland Report primarily focuses on sustainable development and intergenerational equity. It emphasizes the concept of sustainable development by stating that it ensures the needs of future generations will not be compromised while meeting the needs of the present generation. Additionally, it underscores the principle of intergenerational equity. While the report is concerned with addressing environmental issues and promoting responsible development, it does not explicitly deal with nuclear disarmament.

94. The policy of nuclear deterrence was taken up and adopted for the purpose:

Correct Answer: D. To persue their respective national interest
Solution:

The policy of nuclear deterrence involves the possession and threat of using nuclear weapons as a means to discourage an adversary from taking hostile actions. Nations adopt this strategy primarily to protect their territories from external aggression and to safeguard their national interests.
The possession of nuclear weapons is seen as a deterrent, as the potential consequences of a nuclear conflict are considered too devastating for any rational actor to initiate.
It is essentially a strategy based on the belief that the fear of a massive and destructive retaliation will prevent potential adversaries from engaging in hostile activities.
While it aims to contribute to international peace by preventing major conflicts, the policy is rooted in the pursuit of national security and the protection of sovereign interests.

95. A 'post-Westphalian' frame work refers to:

Correct Answer: D. Principles set by the Westphalian Treaties
Solution:

"Principles set by the Westphalian Treaties", accurately characterizes a "postWestphalian framework" in the passage. The Peace of Westphalia in 1648 established foundational principles of the modern nationstate system, emphasizing state sovereignty, the balance of power, and non-interference in internal affairs.
However, the passage discusses a shift to a "post-Westphaliar mode of frame-setting", indicating a departure from these traditional principles. A post-Westphalian framework challenges the sovereignty-centric approach, focusing on global interdependence, universal human rights, and addressing issues that transcend national borders.
By mentioning "justice for all those affected by a given social structure or institution", the passage aligns with the idea that a post-Westphalian framework considers broader principles beyond those set by the Westphalian Treaties, marking a transformation in global governance and international relations.

96. Read the passage carefully and then answer the questions.

The effects of climate change interact with other dimensions of human security, as well as national and global security, to create the potential for a range of short and long-term security issues.
For this reason, any discussion of climate change is also a discussion of food security, migration and armed conflict, as well as a host of other acute and chronic security threats within each of the three approaches.
Global warming and climate change are already contributing to sea level rise (due to melting sea ice), shifting weather patterns, extreme weather events, displacement, famine, and public health concerns like the spread of mosquito-borne illness to historically cooler regions. Still, it is difficult at this time to anticipate the exact effects of climate change.
The degree of insecurity created by climate change will vary according to a region or state's geography, the strength of institutions and ability to mitigate climate-related threats, and future innovation and technological advances (Salehyan 2008).
Despite the fact that there is high level of consensus among climate scientists to the warning trend throughout the past century is linked to human activity (NASA 2017), the fact that the effects are not uniformly visible in the near term has opened climate change up to political debate within some states, especially within the United State.
If States are unable or unwilling to adapt to the shifts brought about by climate change, states their populations, and the broader global community will face security threats in the years to come.
Future innovation and technological advances can affect the: 

Correct Answer: D. Degree of insecurity created by climate change
Solution:

Future innovation and technological advances play a critical role in shaping the degree of insecurity created by climate change. These advancements have the potential to provide solutions and strategies to overcome the challenges posed by climaterelated threats.
From developing more resilient infrastructure to creating sustainable energy sources and implementing effective adaptation measures, technology can significantly mitigate the adverse impacts of climate change.
The extent to which societies can leverage these innovations depends on their commitment to adopting and implementing such solutions, emphasizing the need for global cooperation and the integration of technological advancements into comprehensive climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies.

97. Any discussion of climate change is also a discussion of armed conflict since:

Correct Answer: A. Effects of climate change interact with other dimensions of national security
Solution:

The passage mentions that the effects of climate change interact with other dimensions of human security, national security, and global security, creating the potential for various security issues.
It emphasizes that any discussion of climate change involves considering not only its direct impacts but also its connections to issues like food secu.ity, migration, and armed conflict.
The interconnectedness of climate change with broader security concerns underscores the complexity of addressing its implications, making it a multifaceted challenge that extends beyond environmental dimensions to encompass national and global security considerations.

98. Interactions with other dimensions of human, national and global security create the potential for effects of climate change to:

Correct Answer: A. Create security issue of both long and short term duration
Solution:

The passage suggests that interactions with other dimensions of human, national, and global security have the potential to create a range of short and long-term security issues.
Climate change is portrayed as a multifaceted challenge that extends beyond immediate concerns, such as displacement and famine, to encompass broader security threats over time. Therefore, the effects of climate change are depicted as having both short-term and long-term implications for security.

99. Sea level rise is consequent to global warming and is the result of:

Correct Answer: A. Melting sea ice
Solution:

Sea level rise is a significant consequence of global warming, primarily driven by the melting of sea ice. As the Earth's temperature increases due to climate change, ice sheets and glaciers at the polar regions, particularly in the Arctic and Antarctica, experience accelerated melting.
This melting ice contributes to the increased volume of water in the oceans, leading to a rise in sea levels.
The process is exacerbated by the warming temperatures, which also cause thermal expansion of seawater.
Consequently, this phenomenon poses a multifaceted threat, impacting coastal communities, contributing to flooding, and influencing weather patterns, making it a critical aspect of the broader challenges associated with climate change and its repercussions on global ecosystems and human societies.

100. Non-uniform visibility of warming trend over the past century has:

Correct Answer: B. Opened climate change up to political debate
Solution:

The non-uniform visibility of the warming trend over the past century has primarily opened up climate change to political debate within some countries. While there is a high level of consensus among climate scientists that the warming trend is linked to human activity, the effects are not uniformly visible in the near term.
This lack of immediate and uniform visibility has allowed climate change to become a subject of political debate in certain states, especially within the United States.
The discrepancy in the observable impacts has led to differing perspectives on the urgency and severity of climate change, creating challenges in mobilizing comprehensive and unified global responses to mitigate its effects.