Political Science Paper II CSS 2024
Section-A
Q. No. 2 What are the main characteristics of the United Kingdom’s current political system? Has this system been successful in creating an efficient mechanism to ensure adequate public participation in the affairs of the state? (20 marks)
Q. No. 3. Have Pakistan’s economic ties with other regional countries improved due to the infrastructure development projects undertaken under the Chin-Pakistan Economic corridor component of BRI? (20 marks)
Section- B
Q. No. 4. Bilateral relations with China are a pivotal component of Pakistan’s Foreign policy. What are the primary driving factors in this relationship? (20 marks)
Q. No. 5. Provide an outline of Pakistan’s federal system of government. Why has such an approach been chosen? how successful has it been in ensuring administrative efficiency? (20 marks)
Q. No. 6. Has the World Trade Organization (WTO) been successful in ensuring that global trade remains beneficial to most states/units in the international system? (20 marks)
Q. No. 7. Provide an assessment of how Quaid-e-Azam (Muhammad Ali Jinnah) employed political legalism to strengthen and legitimate the drive towards the creation of Pakistan. (20 marks)
Q. No. 8. What role have the ideological factors played in the conceptualization of Pakistan’s foreign policy? (20 marks)
Summaries of questions
SECTION-A
Q. No. 2. What are the main characteristics of the United Kingdom’s current political system? Has this system been successful in creating an efficient mechanism to ensure adequate public participation in the affairs of the state?
The United Kingdom’s political system is a constitutional monarchy combined with a parliamentary democracy. The monarch serves as the ceremonial head of state, while political power is vested in Parliament, consisting of the House of Commons and the House of Lords. The Prime Minister, appointed from the majority party in the House of Commons, is the head of government. The UK is characterized by a system of common law, an independent judiciary, and a political culture based on conventions and parliamentary sovereignty. Public participation is facilitated through elections, political parties, and a free press, but challenges such as voter apathy and the unrepresentative nature of the House of Lords have been raised. Despite these issues, the system allows for substantial public input, especially through general elections and petitions.
Q. No. 3. Have Pakistan’s economic ties with other regional countries improved due to the infrastructure development projects undertaken under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) component of BRI?
The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a major infrastructure initiative under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), has significantly improved Pakistan’s economic ties with neighboring countries, especially China. The projects under CPEC have enhanced connectivity through roads, railways, and energy infrastructure, which has opened new trade routes and fostered regional cooperation. These developments have not only strengthened bilateral economic relations between Pakistan and China but also positively impacted neighboring countries such as Afghanistan and Central Asia by improving access to Pakistani ports and markets. However, challenges such as political instability, security concerns, and environmental issues still hinder the full realization of CPEC’s potential in fostering broader regional economic integration.
SECTION-B
Q. No. 4. Bilateral relations with China are a pivotal component of Pakistan’s Foreign policy. What are the primary driving factors in this relationship?
Bilateral relations between Pakistan and China are driven by a variety of factors, including economic, strategic, and political considerations. Economically, China is Pakistan’s largest trading partner and a key investor in infrastructure projects like CPEC. Strategically, both countries share a common interest in countering the influence of India in the region, as well as fostering stability in Afghanistan. Pakistan’s close military ties with China, including arms trade and defense cooperation, further solidify this relationship. Politically, Pakistan views China as a reliable ally in the international arena, especially in countering Western pressure and support in international forums. These factors combined make China a cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy.
Q. No. 5. Provide an outline of Pakistan’s federal system of government. Why has such an approach been chosen? How successful has it been in ensuring administrative efficiency?
Pakistan operates under a federal system of government where power is shared between the central government and four provincial governments: Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan. This system was chosen to accommodate the country’s ethnic, cultural, and linguistic diversity, ensuring that provincial governments can address local needs while maintaining national unity. The federal system was intended to decentralize administrative power and improve governance, but it has faced challenges such as inefficiency, lack of coordination between federal and provincial authorities, and resource imbalances. While some successes have been achieved, particularly in areas like education and health at the provincial level, the overall success in ensuring administrative efficiency has been mixed, with ongoing concerns about centralization and provincial autonomy.
Q. No. 6. Has the World Trade Organization (WTO) been successful in ensuring that global trade remains beneficial to most states/units in the international system?
The World Trade Organization (WTO) was established to regulate global trade and ensure that it benefits all states through the promotion of fair competition, the reduction of trade barriers, and the resolution of disputes. However, the WTO’s success in benefiting most states has been mixed. While it has facilitated global trade liberalization and provided a platform for dispute resolution, critics argue that it disproportionately benefits wealthier, developed nations at the expense of developing countries. Issues such as agricultural subsidies, intellectual property rights, and unequal bargaining power continue to undermine the organization’s ability to ensure that global trade benefits all countries equally. Consequently, the WTO’s effectiveness in promoting equitable global trade remains contested.
Q. No. 7. Provide an assessment of how Quaid-e-Azam (Muhammad Ali Jinnah) employed political legalism to strengthen and legitimate the drive towards the creation of Pakistan.
Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah used political legalism effectively in the struggle for the creation of Pakistan by anchoring his demand for a separate nation on legal and constitutional principles. He emphasized the protection of Muslim rights within the framework of British India’s legal system, advocating for the recognition of Muslims as a distinct political entity. Through speeches, constitutional proposals like the Lahore Resolution, and legal processes, Jinnah presented the creation of Pakistan as a legitimate and legal demand. He successfully framed the issue as one of justice, ensuring the political and legal basis for Pakistan’s creation through the application of democratic principles and legal rights, particularly the rights of the Muslim minority in India.
Q. No. 8. What role have the ideological factors played in the conceptualization of Pakistan’s foreign policy?
Ideological factors have played a central role in shaping Pakistan’s foreign policy, particularly the country’s commitment to the principles of Islam and the idea of Pakistan as a homeland for Muslims. From its inception, Pakistan’s foreign policy has been influenced by the desire to assert its identity as an Islamic state and a leader of the Muslim world. This ideology has shaped Pakistan’s relations with other Muslim countries, such as its strategic alliance with Saudi Arabia and its support for various pan-Islamic initiatives. Additionally, Pakistan’s ideological commitment to safeguarding its sovereignty and defending its territorial integrity, particularly in relation to India, has driven its foreign policy decisions. However, balancing these ideological goals with pragmatic concerns, such as economic development and security, has often led to complex and evolving foreign policy strategies.