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Wednesday, February 28, 2018 #1
Join Date: Feb 2018

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Thanked 14 Times in 8 Posts
Lets discuss IR 2018 papers
http://www.cssforum.com.pk/css-optional-subjects/group-i/international-relations/119229-lets-discuss-ir-2018-papers.html 1/13
Hi everyone,
Anyone feeling like discussing IR-2018 questions?
Below are my responses to questions in Paper 1 and 2. You are more than welcome to discuss and assess my approach to the asked
questions. And I will value ur suggestions because I am not a regular student of IR, and my understanding of the subject is only '6-
months' deep.
Paper 1.
Q 2: Evolution of IR.
I made 3 major headings:
i. main events: treaty of westphalia, birth of nation state, french revolution, american civil war, renaissance in europe, colonialism,
post colonialism, world wars, recognition of IR as a subject in 1920s. every event had its impact on the subject.
ii. major writers: john locke, thucydides, carl von clausewitz, immanuel kant etc etc. And how their writings provided the foundations
for the theories of IR .
iii. great debates: realism v liberalism, positivism v post positivism, neo-neo and 4th one (whatever its name is).
Q 3: Convergence and Divergence in neo-realism & constructivism.
Divergences: realism believes that anarchy is permanent feature and is a structure of international order. constructivism says that
"anarchy is what states make of it". so anarchy is not a structure but a process through which states perceive threats and interests
etc. Realism stems from positivism, constructivism from post positivism.
convergences: both believe that 'anarchy' exists.
Q 7: Globalisation.
Yes I agree that it has transformed national culture and politics. It has given rise to 'identity politics' and different responses on
issues of immigration, free trade and supra-national government. Some are for it, and some are against it. e.g. Brexit is an example
of saying no to free flow of people and goods across UK's borders. whereas, France is an advocate of supra-national government i.e.
EU. and so on.
Q 8: Pre-emptive self-defense: US attack on Iraq.
Int law scholars are divided on the isssue of legitimacy of pre emptive defense. Each side forwards its own reasons.
I personally think that US attack on Iraq was illegal. Why? because there was no imminent threat from Iraq (Saddam hussen didn't
threaten to attack the US after or before 9/11). Iraq wasn't supporting al-qaeda. No WMD were found in Iraq (so again no imminent
threat). And other peaceful options were not exhausted like negotiations or involvement of mediators etc. and also world opinion was
against the attack so US's thinking was not shared by many countries except UK and few more countries.
Paper 2
Q 3: strengths and liabilities of Containment policy.
i. Marshall plan. (successful policy because it made allies economically strong)

ii. NATO. (success in terms of deterence but it also instigated USSR to create its own defence alliance: Warsaw pact. so rivalry
became reinforced. and russian block became 'sealed').
iii. Proping up of 'pro-US' dictators in aisa and africa: (successfully at that time but it has backfired now. caused resentment in the
people.)
iv. promotion and propaganda of liberal economy: (very successful. as soon as USSR broke into parts, many countries rushed to
embrace liberal economy and came under the wings of the US and allies).
Q 6: Contentious relations between Pak & India.
lets put Kashmir and other territorial disputes aside for a moment,because we can't resolve them by merely wanting to resolve them.
We need to take some steps to enhance trust and friendship between the two countries, and then we can come back to these issues.
then we will have better chance of solving them. So, what should we do:
i. economic interdependence: in line with liberal theory of economic interdependence, we should increase bilateral trade. and blah
blah blah.
ii. People to people contact: in line with democratic peace theory, we should increase people- people contact. because we are both
democracies, and in line with democratic peace theory it is expected of us to resolve our disputes peacefully. blah blah blah
iii. consulting international institutions: we should rely and depend more on the UN etc for mediating and adjudication.
iv. put an end to arms race: break this cycle of arms race. we should find a way to get out of security dillemma and building
confidence between us.
I also mentioned how SAARC has become essentially dead because of pak-india rivalry.
Q 7: Possibility of settlement of Kashmir:

(unlike Bosnia) UN is not sending Peace forces because there is no human-emergency in Kashmir. Clashes and fights spark up from
time to time, but there is no 'war' in Kashmir.
(Unlike East timor) the resolution of UNSC regarding plebiscite in Kashmir was passed under chapter 6 not 7. so its not binding.
should have been passed under chapter 7.
furthermore, it is very complicated issue, because for one thing Raja of Kashmir abdicated in favor of India so you have legal issues
of succession as well. and second thing, pakistan also controls some part of the Kashmir and both India and Pakistan agreed upon
LOC so there you have another issue of territorial control.
Possible settlement: Both sides will have to make some compromises. Settlement plan proposed by Musharraf seems most workable
to me.
Q 8: Taliban - Afghanistan challenge.

Honestly, I wasn't sure what was required of us in this question. (thank you paper setter for making this question vague for me )
But anyway I attempted this question and gave few recommendations of my own. (like if I was somehow more qualified than pak, us,
china, russia and afghan diplomats combined
I made a point that Taliban want the US out of their country before even their coming to the negotiation table. It could be a trap.
because if the US leaves and the Taliban decide that they don't want to uphold their part of the deal, what will happen then? what the
guarantee that the Taliban won't pick up their arms again and won't sabotage the government and peace process.
So the US should stay in Afghanistan, but elections should be held in provinces turn by turn. Lets see how Taliban behave after
elections and how they run the government in their stronghold provinces.
Observation: The paper was fine. except for few ambiguities in the questions, maybe questions needed to be rephrased properly.
One or two mcqs were also vague. It seemed like paper setter was try to play pun on words. because more than one options seemed
like suitable answer.
What are your thoughts??
The Following User Says Thank You to Fahad Qaiser For This Useful Post:
étoile brillante (Friday, April 13, 2018)
Thursday, March 01, 2018 #2
Join Date: Feb 2013

saniam Location: Wasteland
Senior Member Posts: 170
Thanks: 103
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fahad Qaiser

Hi everyone,
Anyone feeling like discussing IR-2018 questions?
Below are my responses to questions in Paper 1 and 2. You are more than welcome to discuss and assess my approach to
the asked questions. And I will value ur suggestions because I am not a regular student of IR, and my understanding of the
subject is only '6-months' deep.
Paper 1.
Q 2: Evolution of IR.
I made 3 major headings:
i. main events: treaty of westphalia, birth of nation state, french revolution, american civil war, renaissance in europe,
colonialism, post colonialism, world wars, recognition of IR as a subject in 1920s. every event had its impact on the subject.
ii. major writers: john locke, thucydides, carl von clausewitz, immanuel kant etc etc. And how their writings provided the
foundations for the theories of IR .
iii. great debates: realism v liberalism, positivism v post positivism, neo-neo and 4th one (whatever its name is).
Q 3: Convergence and Divergence in neo-realism & constructivism.
Divergences: realism believes that anarchy is permanent feature and is a structure of international order. constructivism says
that "anarchy is what states make of it". so anarchy is not a structure but a process through which states perceive threats
and interests etc. Realism stems from positivism, constructivism from post positivism.
convergences: both believe that 'anarchy' exists.
Q 7: Globalisation.
Yes I agree that it has transformed national culture and politics. It has given rise to 'identity politics' and different responses
on issues of immigration, free trade and supra-national government. Some are for it, and some are against it. e.g. Brexit is
an example of saying no to free flow of people and goods across UK's borders. whereas, France is an advocate of supra-
national government i.e. EU. and so on.
Q 8: Pre-emptive self-defense: US attack on Iraq.
Int law scholars are divided on the isssue of legitimacy of pre emptive defense. Each side forwards its own reasons.
I personally think that US attack on Iraq was illegal. Why? because there was no imminent threat from Iraq (Saddam hussen
didn't threaten to attack the US after or before 9/11). Iraq wasn't supporting al-qaeda. No WMD were found in Iraq (so again
no imminent threat). And other peaceful options were not exhausted like negotiations or involvement of mediators etc. and
also world opinion was against the attack so US's thinking was not shared by many countries except UK and few more
countries.
Paper 2
Q 3: strengths and liabilities of Containment policy.
i. Marshall plan. (successful policy because it made allies economically strong)

ii. NATO. (success in terms of deterence but it also instigated USSR to create its own defence alliance: Warsaw pact. so
rivalry became reinforced. and russian block became 'sealed').
iii. Proping up of 'pro-US' dictators in aisa and africa: (successfully at that time but it has backfired now. caused resentment
in the people.)
iv. promotion and propaganda of liberal economy: (very successful. as soon as USSR broke into parts, many countries rushed
to embrace liberal economy and came under the wings of the US and allies).
Q 6: Contentious relations between Pak & India.
lets put Kashmir and other territorial disputes aside for a moment,because we can't resolve them by merely wanting to
resolve them. We need to take some steps to enhance trust and friendship between the two countries, and then we can come
back to these issues. then we will have better chance of solving them. So, what should we do:
i. economic interdependence: in line with liberal theory of economic interdependence, we should increase bilateral trade. and
blah blah blah.
ii. People to people contact: in line with democratic peace theory, we should increase people- people contact. because we are
both democracies, and in line with democratic peace theory it is expected of us to resolve our disputes peacefully. blah blah
blah
iii. consulting international institutions: we should rely and depend more on the UN etc for mediating and adjudication.
iv. put an end to arms race: break this cycle of arms race. we should find a way to get out of security dillemma and building
confidence between us.
I also mentioned how SAARC has become essentially dead because of pak-india rivalry.
Q 7: Possibility of settlement of Kashmir:

(unlike Bosnia) UN is not sending Peace forces because there is no human-emergency in Kashmir. Clashes and fights spark
up from time to time, but there is no 'war' in Kashmir.
(Unlike East timor) the resolution of UNSC regarding plebiscite in Kashmir was passed under chapter 6 not 7. so its not
binding. should have been passed under chapter 7.
furthermore, it is very complicated issue, because for one thing Raja of Kashmir abdicated in favor of India so you have legal
issues of succession as well. and second thing, pakistan also controls some part of the Kashmir and both India and Pakistan
agreed upon LOC so there you have another issue of territorial control.
Possible settlement: Both sides will have to make some compromises. Settlement plan proposed by Musharraf seems most
workable to me.
Q 8: Taliban - Afghanistan challenge.

Honestly, I wasn't sure what was required of us in this question. (thank you paper setter for making this question vague for
me )
But anyway I attempted this question and gave few recommendations of my own. (like if I was somehow more qualified than
pak, us, china, russia and afghan diplomats combined
I made a point that Taliban want the US out of their country before even their coming to the negotiation table. It could be a
trap. because if the US leaves and the Taliban decide that they don't want to uphold their part of the deal, what will happen
then? what the guarantee that the Taliban won't pick up their arms again and won't sabotage the government and peace
process.
So the US should stay in Afghanistan, but elections should be held in provinces turn by turn. Lets see how Taliban behave
after elections and how they run the government in their stronghold provinces.
Observation: The paper was fine. except for few ambiguities in the questions, maybe questions needed to be rephrased
properly.
One or two mcqs were also vague. It seemed like paper setter was try to play pun on words. because more than one options
seemed like suitable answer.
What are your thoughts??
Excellent answers.
Join Date: Feb 2018

Quote:
Originally Posted by saniam

Excellent answers.
Thanks. I hope the checkers feel the same way.
Join Date: Oct 2014

Location: Karachi
zaindy Posts: 246
Senior Member Thanks: 36
I only remember some of what I wrote in both papers.
Paper - I
Q6. Explained the concept of economic liberalism and the neo-liberalism of Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan in the 1980s. Core
interests of economic liberalism are laissez faire free markets, free transnational trade, deregulation, privatisation. Gave examples
like British Airways. Also explained the "competitive advantage" concept of David Ricardo. Neo-imperialism/economic dependency is
the reliance of the Least Developed Countries on the capital and markets of the developed nations, whom are controlled via IMF, WB
IGOs. Oft times policies are dictated which are not in the best interests of the LDCs. Other points of reliance are the lag in cutting
edge technology due to which LDCs have no choice but to export raw materials which are then value added by the developed states
and exported back to the LDCs in the form of finished products.
Q4. Classic traditional form of international security had only two components, internal and external threats. Internal threats were
non-state actors who committed subversion etc. whereas external threats were other hostile states. The contemporary perception of
international security is multifaceted and entails many aspects which could destabilise the international order. Food security, water
security, economic security (fulfillment of needs), personal security (rule of law etc.), border security etc. were elaborated and how
the lack of security in these variables could lead to instability.
Q5. Strategic culture is the perception of the civil-military elite of a polity regarding the security position of a state, owing to
historical and cultural experiences. Mentioned that according to Hasan Askari, due to Pakistan's hostility with India during its nascent
stage, as well as domestic rioting, Pakistan's strategic culture has been largely dominated by an obsession with security. The
determinants of the strategic culture are arms race with India and the need to import arms from foreign states, relationship with
China, maintaining regional balance of power from skewing further in India's favor by maintaining nuclear programme. Wrote other
points which I forgot.
Q7 Explained how globalization is leading to internationalisation and liberalism. Due to increased movement of people across
international borders, there is people-people contact which leads to cultural diffusion. Due to interdependence, the politics is affected
as harsh stances can't be adopted. I think I gave example of the US-China relationship. I agreed that globalization is changing
national cultures and politics.
Paper - II
Q8 First I explained what a state is according to the Montevideo Convention on the Rights and Duties of States 1933 and how
Afghanistan is only fulfilling the "capacity to enter international relations" requirement properly. I fully supported the mainstreaming
of the Taliban in order to attain a peaceful resolution of the futile 17 year old Afghan conflict. I explained that the current South Asia
strategy of Donald Trump relies on a troops surge from the current level of 8000 troops, but this strategy had already been tried by
the Obama administration to no avail. I explained that Pakistan can play its role through multilateral fora in mediating between the
Taliban and the Afghan government. This is necessary as according to a BBC report, the Taliban control 70% of Afghan territory.
Afghan forces face heavy casualties and desertions. Political engagement with the Taliban is also in the interests of China, the CAR,
and Russia as well so there will be broad international support for the measure. Finished by stating that the current US policy of troop
surge is just trying the same thing and expecting different results, which is insanity.
I regret attempting this question first because I don't think I could include much IR theory in this answer.
Q4. Discussed what foreign policy is, a bit about how it is devised. Then I discussed the US threats to Pakistan post 9/11 about
bombing it "back to the stone age" and "ÿou're either with us or against us". Then I described Pakistan's position of fully supporting
the war on terror by providing logistical support as well as military bases to the US, and training to middle eastern allies but not
taking part in any combat operations on foreign soil. The reason for this policy is to avoid any unpredictable consequences in the
future.
Q5. Explained that the capitalist USA has the values of free trade, free markets, and the ideology of human rights, freedom of
expression etc. Described the USA's confused foreign policy of maintaining an interdependent relationship with authoritarian centrally
controlled China, a strong relationship with monarchy of Saudi Arabia (which helps to maintain hegemony of US $ through OPEC),
and poor relationships with socialist states such as Venezuela, Cuba, North Korea. Stated that the US foreign policy is not dependent
on its ideology, rather on its national interests.
Q6. Explained the usual measures like economic interdependence, people-people contact, bilateral arms control treaties but I also
included one suggestion to "understand constructivism". If diplomats become aware of this theory that foreign policy is often affected
by the manner in which the historical and cultural factors influence the perception of states and hence their international positions,
the institutions can be reformed and peace could be achieved more easily.
The Following User Says Thank You to zaindy For This Useful Post:
étoile brillante (Friday, April 13, 2018)
Join Date: Feb 2018

Quote:
Originally Posted by zaindy
Paper - II
Q8 First I explained what a state is according to the Montevideo Convention on the Rights and Duties of States 1933 and how
Afghanistan is only fulfilling the "capacity to enter international relations" requirement properly. I fully supported the
mainstreaming of the Taliban in order to attain a peaceful resolution of the futile 17 year old Afghan conflict. I explained that
the current South Asia strategy of Donald Trump relies on a troops surge from the current level of 8000 troops, but this
strategy had already been tried by the Obama administration to no avail. I explained that Pakistan can play its role through
multilateral fora in mediating between the Taliban and the Afghan government. This is necessary as according to a BBC
report, the Taliban control 70% of Afghan territory. Afghan forces face heavy casualties and desertions. Political engagement
with the Taliban is also in the interests of China, the CAR, and Russia as well so there will be broad international support for
the measure. Finished by stating that the current US policy of troop surge is just trying the same thing and expecting
different results, which is insanity.
I regret attempting this question first because I don't think I could include much IR theory in this answer.
Exactly. Q 8 was too broad and too general. I wasn't sure whether to focus on current events, actors involved or future
recommendations. So I tried to throw everything in the mix. I too couldn't link any of that with any IR theory.
Monday, March 05, 2018 #6
Join Date: Aug 2015

Location: brobdingnang of gulliver's travel
adan zahra Posts: 119
Senior Member Thanks: 119
the only thing which i could remember about my exams is.... i did not performed as well, as i ought to be.
__________________
when going gets tough.... The tough gets going.
Friday, April 13, 2018 #7
Join Date: Feb 2016

Location: LHR
Posts: 163
étoile brillante Thanks: 898
Senior Member Thanked 27 Times in 25 Posts
Fahad
excelent job man
some of my answers match urs but urs are so compact i didnt or couldnt touch every aspect.
__________________
My success can only come from ALLAH
[Quran 11:88]
Friday, April 13, 2018 #8
Join Date: Feb 2016

Location: LHR
Posts: 163
étoile brillante Thanks: 898
Senior Member Thanked 27 Times in 25 Posts
ur response is also great best of luck buddies

__________________
My success can only come from ALLAH
[Quran 11:88]
Saturday, April 14, 2018 #9
Join Date: Feb 2018

Quote:
Originally Posted by étoile brillante

Fahad
excelent job man
some of my answers match urs but urs are so compact i didnt or couldnt touch every aspect.
Thanks mate. All of us InshaAllah will pass these exams.
Quote:
Originally Posted by adan zahra

the only thing which i could remember about my exams is.... i did not performed as well, as i ought to be.
Don't worry about it. Everybody think that they could have done better. I even made a blunder so big that I fear I won't pass the
exam. But as they say, do ur best and don't worry about the rest. so...
Cheers.
Monday, May 28, 2018 #10
Join Date: May 2018

Marwa Aman Posts: 17
Thanks: 3
Junior Member Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
i.r
for me i.r was difficult
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Tuesday, January 01, 2019

Home Beginner's Guide Rules Syllabus Past Papers CSP Members

Home Register Awards Community Today's Posts Search

International Relations Notes on IR

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View First Unread LinkBack Thread Tools Search this Thread

Join Date: Feb 2018

Anyone feeling like discussing IR-2018 questions?

I made 3 major headings:

Q 3: Convergence and Divergence in neo-realism & constructivism.

convergences: both believe that 'anarchy' exists.

Q 8: Pre-emptive self-defense: US attack on Iraq.

Q 3: strengths and liabilities of Containment policy.

i. Marshall plan. (successful policy because it made allies economically strong)

Q 6: Contentious relations between Pak & India.

Q 7: Possibility of settlement of Kashmir:

Q 8: Taliban - Afghanistan challenge.

What are your thoughts??

Thursday, March 01, 2018 #2

Join Date: Feb 2013

Originally Posted by Fahad Qaiser

Anyone feeling like discussing IR-2018 questions?

I made 3 major headings:

Q 3: Convergence and Divergence in neo-realism & constructivism.

convergences: both believe that 'anarchy' exists.

Q 8: Pre-emptive self-defense: US attack on Iraq.

Q 3: strengths and liabilities of Containment policy.

i. Marshall plan. (successful policy because it made allies economically strong)

Q 6: Contentious relations between Pak & India.

Q 7: Possibility of settlement of Kashmir:

Q 8: Taliban - Afghanistan challenge.

What are your thoughts??

Thursday, March 01, 2018 #3

Join Date: Feb 2018

Originally Posted by saniam

Thanks. I hope the checkers feel the same way.

Thursday, March 01, 2018 #4

Join Date: Oct 2014

I only remember some of what I wrote in both papers.

Thursday, March 01, 2018 #5

Join Date: Feb 2018

Originally Posted by zaindy

Monday, March 05, 2018 #6

Join Date: Aug 2015

Friday, April 13, 2018 #7

Join Date: Feb 2016

Friday, April 13, 2018 #8

Join Date: Feb 2016

ur response is also great best of luck buddies

Saturday, April 14, 2018 #9

Join Date: Feb 2018

Originally Posted by étoile brillante

Thanks mate. All of us InshaAllah will pass these exams.

Originally Posted by adan zahra

Monday, May 28, 2018 #10

Join Date: May 2018

for me i.r was difficult

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