International Relations - I Past Papers Analysis

I. Introduction

1. Evaluate the relevance of the nation-state system in the context of global challenges such as climate change, terrorism, and supranational organizations. (2026)

2. Analyse how the scope of International Relations has expanded with the rise of non-state actors in global politics. (2026)

3. What were the key driving forces behind the establishment of International Relations as an academic discipline? Provide an analysis of the major historical events and intellectual developments that contributed to its evolution and formal recognition in the world. (2025)

4. How does the definition and scope of international relations evolve in light of the ongoing war situations in Ukraine and Palestine? What insights do these conflicts offer into the complexities of global diplomatic, political, and socio-economic interactions? (2024)

5. Define International Relation. Discuss it’s changing/ evolving scope. (2021)

6. Discuss the significant features of Treaty of Westphalia and the development of modern Nation-State System. (2019)

7. Describe the evolutionary process through which International Relations acquired the status of an academic discipline. (2018)

8. Critically evaluate reasons as to why the modern nation-state in Europe faces internal challenges to its sovereignty and territorial integrity. (2017)

9. The nation-state system is in a flux with an independence referendum in Scotland and another projected for Catalonia in September 2017. (2017)

10. Examine the concept of National Power and its essential ingredients. (2016)

II. Theories & Approaches

1. Critically discuss the concept of Balance of Power in light of Hans Morgenthau’s thought. (2026)

2. Is bipolarity inherently more stable than multipolarity? Discuss with reference to classical and contemporary IR scholarship. (2026)

3. What are the key theoretical perspectives of non-Western approaches to understand the nature and evolution of world politics, and how do they compliment or challenge traditional Western paradigms? (2025)

4. How has minilateralism emerged as a modern approach to foreign policy in state relations? Provide a rational explanation of its development, highlighting the major factors driving its adoption and advantages over traditional multilateralism. (2025)

5. How have the dynamics of Pakistan-Iran relations transformed in the aftermath of targeting terrorist hideouts in each other’s territories? What are the potential future implications based on the Realist School of Thought? Analyse the shifts in the relationship, considering geopolitical factors, national interests, and power dynamics, and evaluate the potential consequences according to realist principles. (2024)

6. Discuss the main principles of Constructivism in International Relations. Give a comparative analysis of constructivism and realism with examples. (2023)

7. Comparatively discuss the modernist IR theories (Realism and Liberalism) with post- (20) modernist IR theories (Feminism and Constructivism). (2021)

8. How the Neo-Realist and Constructive approaches differ over the study of state behavior in the contemporary international politics? (2020)

9. Discuss the concept of Idealism. Explain its core perceptions and define its agenda of peace for the stability of world. (2019)

10. What are the points of convergence and divergence in Neo-Realist and Constructivist approaches to the study of state behavior in contemporary international politics? (2018)

11. What are the essential differences between the liberal internationalist and realist theories? In your opinion, why is realism the most dominant theory in the discipline of International Relations? (2017)

12. The positivist and post-positivist debate offers a striking contrast in terms of approach and methodology to the study of International Relations. Describe, compare and critically evaluate the divergence between the two debates. Are there any points of convergence? (2017)

III. International Political Security

1. Comment and contextualize the following statements. (a) Fighting terrorism is like being a goalkeeper, you can make a hundred brilliant saves but the only shot that people remember is the one that gets past you. (b) State terrorism is the new threat to Global Security. (2026)

2. How does the Taliban's transition from a non-state actor to a formal state actor challenge the security paradigm in the post-21st-century? Provide a conceptual analysis by examining its implications and drawing comparisons with similar global developments. (2025)

3. How do the thoughts of Woodrow Wilson, Norman Angell, and Alfred Zimmern contribute to the development of Liberal Internationalism? Analyse and discuss various aspects of Liberal Internationalism, considering the perspectives of these thinkers and examining their respective beliefs on global governance, peace, and cooperation. (2024)

4. Do you think global power structure in passing through transition? What are the contours of big power strategic realignment? (2023)

5. Does China’s rise challenge the global political system? What are the implications on Balance of Power Politics? (2023)

6. Foreign policy scholars argued that transnational actors influence the contours of any country’s foreign policy. Discuss keeping in mind the foreign policy of China. (2022)

7. It is argued that democratic countries pursue peaceful foreign policies. Support your answer with correct examples. (2022)

8. Explain objectives and determinants of Pakistan’s foreign policy. (2022)

9. Define power, Explain with examples the concept of hard power, soft power and smart power inn international politics. (2022)

10. Discuss in detail how globalization has effected the concept of security? (2022)

11. Discuss in detail the new maritime security challenges for the Indian oceans region. (2022)

12. Identify the different types of non-State actors in International Relations and their (20) impact on the International System. (2021)

13. Identify and discuss determinants of Pakistan’s Foreign Policy. (2021)

14. Discuss the concept of Security in the post-Cold War era. Explain its changing dimensions and define its strength and weaknesses for the nation states. (2019)

15. What are the changing dimensions of security and how they vary from the classical concept of international security? (2018)

16. The rise of China is being heralded as a return of ‘balance of power’ politics in international relations. As the world moves towards multipolarity, account for the essential features of the international security architecture and its evolving dynamics. (2017)

17. Point out main goals of Foreign Policy of states and determine the factors which influence its making and implementation. (2016)

18. What is the significance of security to states? How far do you agree that international security has given way to global security in face of new challenges of “Terrorism” and Human Security? (2016)

IV. Strategic Approach

1. Critically evaluate Theory of Deterrence in Indo-Pakistan context with special reference to May 2025 conflict between the two nuclear armed neighbours. (2026)

2. Write short notes on any TWO of the following: (a) Surveillance Capitalism, (b) Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), (c) Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO)

3. How has the digitalization of international system reshaped traditional warfare, sparking strategic clashes in the post-information era? Explore its theoretical implications for modern conflict. (2025)

4. Define the concept of Strategic Culture and highlight the major determinants of Pakistan’s Strategic Culture. (2020)

5. Describe the geo-strategic importance of Indian Ocean and highlight its impacts on Pakistan’s Maritime security. (2020)

6. Critically evaluate the US Indo-Pacific policy. Do you believe the current US strategies are aimed all containing growing economic super power China? (2020)

7. Discuss the concept of Hybrid and social media as a means of modern psychology warfare. Explain its characteristics and suggest measures to promote national security. (2019)

8. Define the concept of Strategic Culture and highlight the major determinants of Pakistan’s Strategic Culture. (2018)

9. Critically evaluate the strategically competitive dynamics of Pakistan-India relations in the context of Pakistan’s growing ties with China and India’s increased alignment with the United States. (2017)

10. Is war a rational act of state policy? Explain in view of the wars fought in the 20th century. (2016)

V. International Political Economy

1. Is the financial support provided by the IMF truly a “debt trap, “as some argue, or does it serve as a supportive mechanism for the economic recovery of impoverished nations? Through a comprehensive analysis, evaluate the impacts of IMF assistance on the financial health of recipient countries, considering both the criticisms and the supportive stance. Conclude with a bold and clear position on the role of IMF in economic recovery of poor nations. (2024)

2. Role of IMF in developing countries is a contested issues in academic research. What are some positive and negative implications on low-income countries? (2023)

3. Evaluate the impact of the IMF loans on the economy of Pakistan. (2022)

4. What is the role of economy in state behaviour? How does it influence definition of (20) National Interest and how is used as a tool of achieving foreign policy goals? Discuss with examples. (2021)

5. What do you understand by International Political Economy? How it promotes economic dependency in the developing states? (2020)

6. Explain the concept of Economic Liberalism and relate its core interests with the concept of Neo-imperialism. (2020)

7. Critically discuss the idea of Dependence and Interdependence. Explain its advantages and disadvantages for the poor countries. (2019)

8. Explain the concept of Economics Liberalism and relate its core interests with the concept of Neo-imperialism or creating Economic Dependency. (2018)

VI. International Political Community

1. How do you define Climate Change and Global Warming? What concrete evidence supports the assertion that the climate is undergoing change? Analyse the scientific discourse surrounding human-induced climate change, exploring the role of human activities in this phenomenon. Provide thoughtful suggestions for securing the climate on planet Earth, considering both individual and collective actions. (2024)

2. Identify and analytically explain the various conflict resolution methods. (2021)

3. Globalization is a buzz word of present day International Economic and Social Order; do you agree that it is transforming quickly the national cultures and politics? (2018)

4. Define globalization and its attendant manifestations in global politics. Do you agree with the view that economic globalization is a form of neo-imperialism which only stands to exploit the Third World states? (2017)

VII. Approaches to Peace

1. Evaluate the effectiveness of international law in managing conflicts where there is asymmetry in power dynamics with special reference to Israel-Gaza conflict. (2026)

2. What innovative strategies can be employed to overcome the political and technical obstacles in achieving complete nuclear disarmament? Discuss logically. (2025)

3. Under the Taliban rule, Afghanistan has not secured global political recognition. What factors contribute to this failure on the international stage? How have the Taliban’s policies, particularly in areas such as non-cooperation with international community, human rights and governance, impacted the reluctance of the international community to recognize the government? (2024)

4. What are the best policy options to deal with asymmetrical warfare? (2023)

5. Describe the concept of Pre-Emptive Self-Defense in the context of International Law and critically evaluate the legitimacy of US use of force against Iraq. (2020)

6. Discuss the development of Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), define its main features and explain its status in present world. (2019)

7. Describe the concept of Pre-Emptive Self-defense in the context of International Law and critically evaluate the legitimacy of US use of force against Iraq. (2018)

8. Define International Law and explain its Nature. Is it of significance to the development of laws of war and their application? (2016)

VIII. International Political Institutions

1. How does the United Nations, often criticized as a failed world body with a biased and undemocratic Security Council? Justify its actions or lack thereof in the context of war in Gaza? (2024)

2. Discuss the significance of IAEA. Critically evaluate its role in nuclear non-proliferation. (2023)

3. Pakistan is going to International Monetary Fund (IMF) for its bailout package to resolve its financial problems through prudent management. Discuss Pakistan’s external debt problems and domestic liabilities to stabilize country’s economic uncertainty. (2019)

4. The non-state actor as a military competitor is gaining ground in the Middle East with the rise of ISIS. What strategies can the United Nations and major powers implement in order to ensure peace and security in Iraq and Syria. (2017)

International Relations - I CSS Preparation

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