UPSC Public Administration – Complete Ultimate Digital Library | Shaktimatha Learning

 

PSIR PAPER I – 50 PYQ STRUCTURED ANSWER BANK

PART 5 (Questions 21–25)

---

PYQ 21

Compare Hobbes and Locke on Social Contract.

🔹 Introduction

Both Hobbes and Locke use social contract theory, but their conclusions about sovereignty and liberty differ sharply.

🔹 Hobbes

• State of nature: violent and insecure.
• Absolute sovereign.
• No right to rebellion.

🔹 Locke

• State of nature: relatively peaceful.
• Limited government.
• Right to rebellion.

🔹 Conclusion

Hobbes prioritizes security; Locke prioritizes liberty and rights.

---

PYQ 22

Discuss Marx’s theory of Historical Materialism.

🔹 Introduction

Historical materialism explains social change through material and economic forces.

🔹 Core Features

• Economic base determines superstructure.
• Class struggle as engine of history.
• Inevitable transition to socialism.

🔹 Critique

• Economic determinism.
• Underestimates culture and ideas.

🔹 Conclusion

Despite criticism, historical materialism remains influential in critical theory.

---

PYQ 23

Evaluate Isaiah Berlin’s distinction between Negative and Positive Liberty.

🔹 Introduction

Berlin distinguished liberty as non-interference (negative) and liberty as self-mastery (positive).

🔹 Negative Liberty

• Freedom from external interference.
• Core liberal concept.

🔹 Positive Liberty

• Freedom to realize one’s potential.
• May justify state intervention.

🔹 Evaluation

Berlin warned that positive liberty can justify authoritarianism.

🔹 Conclusion

The debate shapes modern welfare and rights discourse.

---

PYQ 24

Critically examine Communitarian critique of Liberalism.

🔹 Introduction

Communitarians argue that liberalism overemphasizes individual autonomy.

🔹 Core Critique

• Embedded self (Charles Taylor).
• Community shapes identity.
• Criticism of Rawls’ abstract individual.

🔹 Evaluation

Communitarianism strengthens recognition politics but risks cultural conservatism.

🔹 Conclusion

It balances rights with community obligations.

---

PYQ 25

Discuss Feminist perspectives on Equality.

🔹 Introduction

Feminism redefines equality beyond formal legal equality.

🔹 Liberal Feminism

• Equal rights and opportunities.

🔹 Marxist Feminism

• Economic exploitation and patriarchy.

🔹 Radical Feminism

• Structural patriarchy critique.

🔹 Conclusion

Feminism transforms equality into a structural justice question.

---

Shaktimatha Learning – PSIR Structured PYQ Answer Bank