Saturday, 28 February 2026

 

PSIR PAPER I – 50 PYQ STRUCTURED ANSWER BANK

PART 4 (Questions 16–20)


PYQ 16

Examine Rawls’ theory of Justice as Fairness.

🔹 Introduction

John Rawls redefined liberal justice through fairness, equality and rational choice behind a “veil of ignorance.”

🔹 Core Principles

  • Original Position.
  • Veil of Ignorance.
  • Two Principles of Justice.
  • Difference Principle.

🔹 Critique

  • Nozick: Violates entitlement theory.
  • Communitarians: Overly abstract individualism.
  • Marxists: Ignores structural exploitation.

🔹 Conclusion

Rawls remains central to contemporary distributive justice debates.


PYQ 17

Discuss Nozick’s Libertarian critique of Rawls.

🔹 Introduction

Robert Nozick rejected patterned redistribution and defended minimal state.

🔹 Core Argument

  • Entitlement theory.
  • Justice in acquisition, transfer, rectification.
  • Minimal state justified.

🔹 Evaluation

Nozick emphasizes liberty over equality, challenging welfare liberalism.

🔹 Conclusion

The Rawls–Nozick debate defines modern political philosophy.


PYQ 18

Analyze Gramsci’s concept of Hegemony.

🔹 Introduction

Antonio Gramsci expanded Marxism by introducing cultural and ideological dominance.

🔹 Core Argument

  • Dominance through consent.
  • Role of civil society.
  • Organic intellectuals.

🔹 Significance

Explains how ruling classes maintain legitimacy without overt coercion.

🔹 Conclusion

Hegemony remains crucial for understanding modern power structures.


PYQ 19

Evaluate Foucault’s idea of Power.

🔹 Introduction

Michel Foucault conceptualized power as diffuse and embedded in discourse.

🔹 Core Argument

  • Power-knowledge nexus.
  • Disciplinary power.
  • Biopolitics.

🔹 Criticism

  • Lacks normative framework.
  • Undermines agency.

🔹 Conclusion

Foucault transforms understanding of modern governance and surveillance.


PYQ 20

Is Liberalism compatible with Multiculturalism?

🔹 Introduction

The debate centers on individual rights versus group recognition.

🔹 Core Discussion

  • Liberal neutrality.
  • Charles Taylor: Politics of recognition.
  • Will Kymlicka: Group-differentiated rights.

🔹 Evaluation

Modern liberalism increasingly accommodates cultural diversity.

🔹 Conclusion

Compatibility depends on balancing autonomy with identity.


Shaktimatha Learning – PSIR Structured PYQ Answer Bank

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