CSS political science paper 2018 Paper-A

CSS political science paper 2018 PAPER-I

SECTION-I

Q. No. 2. Critically analyze the salient features of Plato’s Republic. Do you think that some of its features are valid, even today?
Q. No. 3 . What is the concept of State of Nature as given by Thomas Hobbes? Make its comparison with the social Contract as presented by John Locke and Rousseau.
Q. No. 4. Write a detailed note on the concept of asbiah as given by Ibn-e-Khaldun. What is its significance in the progress and decline of the nation
Q. No. 5. Write a detailed essay on the principle of Ijtihad in Islam as given by Allama Iqbal. How it can be made possible in the modern age?

SECTION-II

Q. No. 6. What is the significance of the Local Government System in a country? Discuss the reasons for the repeated failure of the efforts in Pakistan to establish a stable local government
Q. No. 7. What is the significance of an independent judiciary in a democratic republic? Do you think that without an independent judiciary, a system of checks and balances can be established in the government? Explain with appropriate examples.
Q. No. 8. Write short notes on any two of the following
(a) Role of the middle class in strengthening the democracy
(b) violation of parliamentary values and traditions in Pakistan
(c) Significance of religious harmony in a state

Summary:

SECTION-I

Q. No. 2. Critically analyze the salient features of Plato’s Republic. Do you think that some of its features are valid, even today?

Salient Features of Plato’s Republic:

• Theory of Justice: Plato defines justice as each person performing their designated role in society. He advocates for a system where each class (rulers, auxiliaries, and producers) contributes according to their abilities and does not interfere with other roles.
• Philosopher-Kings: Plato argues that the rulers of a state should be philosopher-kings, individuals who possess wisdom and knowledge of the Forms. These rulers would be best equipped to lead the society justly, as they understand the truth and the ideal state.
• The Allegory of the Cave: This allegory explains Plato’s theory of knowledge, where individuals are trapped in a “cave” of ignorance, and only the philosopher can emerge into the light of truth and enlightenment.
• Social Classes: The state is divided into three classes: the rulers (philosophers), the warriors (soldiers), and the producers (farmers, craftsmen, etc.). Each class has a specific function to maintain harmony in society.
• The Role of Education: Plato emphasizes the importance of education in shaping rulers and citizens, suggesting that it should be an objective process designed to cultivate wisdom, reason, and virtue.

Validity Today:

• Philosopher-Kings: Plato’s idea of philosopher-kings remains impractical in modern democratic systems where power is derived from the people rather than intellectual merit. The idea of having knowledgeable leaders is valid, but democratic elections are more appropriate for modern governance.
• Education and Justice: The principle of justice and the need for a sound educational system resonate today. Education should still aim to cultivate virtue, wisdom, and moral character to maintain a just society.
• Social Stratification: Plato’s rigid class system is difficult to justify in a modern, egalitarian society. Today’s democratic ideals emphasize equality and social mobility, which conflict with Plato’s vision of fixed social roles.

Conclusion: Plato’s vision for a just society remains insightful in terms of education, the pursuit of knowledge, and the idea that leaders should be virtuous. However, his rigid social class structure and the concept of philosopher-kings are less relevant in contemporary democratic societies.

Q. No. 3. What is the concept of State of Nature as given by Thomas Hobbes? Make its comparison with the social Contract as presented by John Locke and Rousseau.

Hobbes’ State of Nature:

• Hobbes, in his work Leviathan (1651), describes the state of nature as a condition where there is no government or laws. In this state, individuals are driven by self-interest, leading to a “war of all against all”. Life in the state of nature is “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short.”
• To escape this chaos, individuals enter into a social contract, surrendering their natural rights to a sovereign (the Leviathan) who ensures peace and security. Hobbes advocates for absolute monarchy as the best form of government, where the sovereign holds absolute power.

Locke’s Social Contract:

• In contrast to Hobbes, John Locke in Two Treatises of Government (1689) presents a more optimistic view of the state of nature. For Locke, the state of nature is a condition of relative peace and equality, where natural rights (life, liberty, and property) are respected.
• Locke argues that individuals form a social contract to create a government that protects these rights. The government’s power should be limited and based on consent from the governed. If the government fails to uphold the social contract or violates the natural rights of citizens, people have the right to revolt.

Rousseau’s Social Contract:

• Jean-Jacques Rousseau in The Social Contract (1762) introduces a concept of the state of nature that is largely peaceful and egalitarian. He believes that society and private property corrupt the natural goodness of humanity.
• Rousseau proposes a social contract where individuals surrender their interests for the collective good, creating a “general will” that represents the common interest of the people. Unlike Locke, Rousseau believes that true freedom is achieved when individuals submit to the general will of the community.

Comparison:

• Hobbes: Views the state of nature as chaotic and believes in a powerful, centralized government to impose order.
• Locke: Sees the state of nature as generally peaceful, with the social contract serving to protect natural rights through a limited government.
• Rousseau: Believes the state of nature is peaceful but becomes corrupted by society. His social contract aims to establish a collective general will that ensures true freedom.

Conclusion: The theories of Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau provide different perspectives on human nature and governance. Hobbes advocates for absolute monarchy to prevent chaos, Locke emphasizes natural rights and limited government, while Rousseau focuses on the collective good and the general will.

Q. No. 4. Write a detailed note on the concept of asbiah as given by Ibn-e-Khaldun. What is its significance in the progress and decline of the nation?

Concept of Asbiah:

• Asbiah (translated as “group feeling” or “social cohesion”) is a central concept in the work of Ibn Khaldun, particularly in his Muqaddimah (Introduction to History). It refers to the bond that unites members of a group, such as family, tribe, or society.
• According to Ibn Khaldun, asbiah is essential for the survival and strength of a group, as it fosters solidarity, cooperation, and a sense of shared purpose. In this context, it is the key to the rise and success of dynasties and civilizations.

Significance in the Progress of a Nation:

• Ibn Khaldun argues that the strength of a civilization or nation is directly tied to the level of asbiah within its society. Strong asbiah leads to collective action, cooperation, and a drive for progress, innovation, and expansion.
• Nomadic tribes, for example, often exhibit strong asbiah due to their collective lifestyle, which allows them to conquer and establish empires. As they develop, they acquire luxury, wealth, and urbanization, leading to a decline in their original cohesion and strength.

Significance in the Decline of a Nation:

• Asbiah weakens over time as societies become more prosperous and complex. Once the group becomes more sedentary and reliant on luxury, the bond of solidarity weakens, leading to political instability, corruption, and eventual decline.
• Ibn Khaldun describes a cyclical process of rise and fall: strong asbiah leads to success, but the decline of asbiah due to luxury, corruption, and internal strife causes the downfall of the group.

Conclusion: Asbiah is crucial for the strength and success of any society. Ibn Khaldun’s theory suggests that the rise of civilizations depends on collective solidarity, while their decline is inevitable once the social cohesion begins to erode.

Q. No. 5. Write a detailed essay on the principle of Ijtihad in Islam as given by Allama Iqbal. How it can be made possible in the modern age?

Ijtihad in Islam:

• Ijtihad is the process of independent legal reasoning and interpretation used by Islamic scholars to derive legal rulings from the Qur’an and Hadith in the absence of clear texts. It has been historically employed to adapt Islamic law to new circumstances and issues that arise over time.
• Allama Iqbal’s Perspective: Iqbal emphasized the importance of Ijtihad as a means of reforming Islamic thought and responding to modern challenges. He believed that Muslims needed to engage with rationality and reason to address the changing conditions of the world, rather than relying solely on traditional interpretations.

Iqbal’s Call for Revival of Ijtihad:

• Iqbal argued that Islam encourages intellectual freedom and the pursuit of knowledge and that Ijtihad should be used to revive the Islamic spirit of inquiry, creativity, and adaptability.
• Iqbal envisioned a modern Islamic Renaissance through the revitalization of Ijtihad, which could guide the development of political, social, and economic systems based on Islamic principles while remaining relevant to contemporary issues.

Making Ijtihad Possible in the Modern Age:

• Institutional Framework: To make Ijtihad a viable tool in the modern age, Iqbal suggested the establishment of modern Islamic institutions that foster critical thinking and scholarship. These institutions would bridge the gap between classical Islamic teachings and modern challenges.
• Training Scholars: Modern scholars should be trained in both classical Islamic knowledge and contemporary issues, enabling them to make informed interpretations and rulings. The training should also encourage interdisciplinary study, including fields like politics, economics, and science.
• Fostering Intellectual Freedom: Iqbal emphasized that a spirit of intellectual independence is essential for Ijtihad to flourish. In the modern age, scholars should be encouraged to engage in free inquiry and should not be restricted by rigid orthodoxies.
• Relevance to Contemporary Issues: Ijtihad can be used to address pressing global issues such as democracy, human rights, and gender equality, by deriving solutions from Islamic principles that align with modern values.

Conclusion: Iqbal’s vision for Ijtihad was a call to adapt Islamic thought to the realities of the modern world. By fostering a culture of intellectual freedom, establishing institutions of higher learning, and training scholars to address contemporary issues, Ijtihad can be revitalized in the modern age, allowing Islam to contribute to modernity while remaining rooted in its core values.

SECTION-II

Q. No. 6. What is the significance of the Local Government System in a country? Discuss the reasons for the repeated failure of the efforts in Pakistan to establish a stable local government.

Significance of Local Government System:

• Local government systems provide citizens with a platform to participate in governance, ensuring that decisions are made at the most localized level, improving accountability and addressing local needs more effectively.
• It also promotes decentralization, reducing the burden on central authorities, and enhancing democracy by involving citizens in decision-making processes.
• Local governments contribute to the development of infrastructure, education, health, and other community services at the grassroots level.

Reasons for Failure in Pakistan:

• Political Instability: Frequent political changes and military interventions have disrupted the continuity of local governance systems.
• Lack of Political Will: There has been a lack of commitment by central governments to empower local governments, often fearing the loss of control.
• Corruption and Mismanagement: Local governments often suffer from corruption, inefficiency, and mismanagement, undermining their effectiveness.
• Lack of Devolution of Power: While some efforts have been made to decentralize power, true devolution has not occurred, and local governments often operate under the influence of provincial or central governments.

Conclusion: A strong and effective local government system is critical for a nation’s development. In Pakistan, despite multiple efforts, the failure of local governments is primarily due to political instability, corruption, and a lack of genuine devolution of power.

Q. No. 7. What is the significance of an independent judiciary in a democratic republic? Do you think that without an independent judiciary, a system of checks and balances can be established in the government? Explain with appropriate examples.

Significance of Independent Judiciary:

• An independent judiciary is fundamental for the protection of fundamental rights and the rule of law in a democratic system. It ensures that laws are applied impartially, protecting citizens from abuse of power by the executive or legislative branches.
• It also serves as a check on executive and legislative actions, ensuring that laws and policies comply with the Constitution.

Without an Independent Judiciary:

• No Checks and Balances: Without judicial independence, the executive and legislature can overstep their bounds without fear of legal consequences. This undermines the system of checks and balances that is essential to prevent any branch of government from becoming too powerful.

Examples:

• In countries where the judiciary is not independent, such as Pakistan during various military regimes, the executive often bypasses or ignores judicial rulings, leading to authoritarianism.
• In contrast, India’s independent judiciary has been instrumental in upholding democratic principles and ensuring that no branch of government exceeds its authority.

Conclusion: An independent judiciary is essential for maintaining a system of checks and balances in a democratic republic. Without it, the government risks becoming authoritarian and undermining citizens’ rights and freedoms.

Q. No. 8. Write short notes on any two of the following:

(a) Role of the middle class in strengthening democracy:

• The middle class plays a critical role in strengthening democracy by advocating for political stability, rule of law, and economic progress. They often push for greater accountability, transparency, and political participation.
• A strong middle class can act as a buffer between the elite and the poor, fostering social cohesion and political moderation.

(b) Violation of parliamentary values and traditions in Pakistan:

• Parliamentary values in Pakistan, such as respect for the Constitution and the rule of law, have often been violated by political instability, corruption, and military interventions.
• Instances of violations include the dismissal of elected governments and the manipulation of parliamentary procedures, undermining democracy.

(c) Significance of religious harmony in a state:

• Religious harmony is essential for social cohesion, peace, and national unity. In pluralistic societies, respecting different faiths promotes coexistence, reduces sectarian violence, and fosters an inclusive society.
• States that prioritize religious harmony can avoid conflict and create an environment where all citizens feel valued regardless of their faith.