FEDERAL PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION
COMPETITIVE EXAMINATION-2020 FOR RECRUITMENT
TO POSTS IN BS-17 UNDER THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS, PAPER-I
Roll Number
Legalversity
TIME ALLOWED: THREE HOURS
(PART-I MCQs): MAXIMUM 30 MINUTES
(PART-I MCQs) MAXIMUM MARKS: 20
(PART-II) MAXIMUM MARKS: 80
NOTE: (i) First attempt PART-I (MCQs) on separate OMR Answer Sheet which shall be taken back after 30 minutes.
(ii) Overwriting/cutting of the options/answers will not be given credit.
(iii) There is no negative marking. All MCQs must be attempted.
PART-I (MCQs)(COMPULSORY)
Q1 (i) Select the best option/answer and fill in the appropriate Box [ ] on the OMR Answer Sheet. (20×1=20)
(ii) Answers given anywhere else, other than OMR Answer Sheet, will not be considered.
1 According to the Balance of Power theory, peace is maintained when:
(A) Global institutions govern all disputes (B) No single state becomes overwhelmingly powerful (C) Economic inequality is minimized (D) Single state governs all disputes
2 A key criticism of Realism is that it:
(A) Focuses excessively on international law (B) Assumes all states are cooperative (C) Overlooks the role of ideas, norms, and domestic politics in shaping state behavior (D) None of these
3 The balance of Power concept suggests:
(A) States form alliances to prevent any one state from dominating (B) All states should disarm to achieve peace (C) International organizations cause stability (D) None of these
4 Which of the following is a key determinant of foreign policy?
(A) Domestic political structures (B) Economic and military capabilities (C) Both (A) & (B) (D) Geographical location
5 Total War differs from Limited War in that:
(A) Limited war involves total mobilization of society (B) Total war mobilizes all societal resources for conflict (C) Total war is always defensive (D) None of these
6 Deterrence Theory is based on the idea that:
(A) Threat of retaliation prevents aggression (B) International law guarantees compliance (C) Both (A) & (B) (D) None of these
7 International law primarily serves to:
(A) Provide legally binding rules governing relations among states (B) Ensure states always have the same interests (C) Both (A) & (B) (D) None of these
8 Which of the following is a primary function of the IMF?
(A) Lending to countries facing balance-of-payments crisis (B) Building infrastructure in developing countries (C) Ensuring that recipient countries undertake reforms (D) Both (A) & (C)
9 Treaty of Friendship between Pakistan and China was signed in:
(A) 1956 (B) 1971 (C) 1992 (D) None of these
10 Which international tribunal has the right to prosecute individuals for war crimes and crimes against humanity?
(A) United Nations Prosecution Council (B) International Court of Justice (C) International Criminal Court (D) Both (A) & (C)
11 Causes of war often include:
(A) Competition over resources (B) Nationalism and ideological differences (C) Both (A) & (B) (D) None of these
12 The World Bank differs from the IMF because it primarily:
(A) Handles balance-of-payments crises (B) Manages global monetary policy (C) Focuses on long-term development and poverty reduction (D) Both (A) & (C)
13 According to __________ “war is an extension of politics by other means”.
(A) Hans Morgenthau (B) Sun Tzu (C) Thomas Hobbes (D) None of these
14 What is regionalism?
(A) Creation of a new regional entity bringing together a number of different constituent parts (B) Regular and sustained interactions between states on policy issues (C) Development of institutionalized cooperation among states and other actors on the basis of regional contiguity as a feature of global politics (D) None of these
15 The last SAARC Summit was held in __________ in Nepal.
(A) 2022 (B) 2014 (C) 2019 (D) None of these
16 Which scenario best demonstrates the use of deterrence in international relations?
(A) A country mobilizes all its resources to prevent attack (B) A country relies on international courts for security (C) A country signs international security regimes (D) None of these
17 National interest is influenced by:
(A) Political, Military & economic capability (B) Geography, resources, historical experiences and domestic politics (C) Cultural similarities with other states only (D) None of these
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS, PAPER-I, CSS-2026
18 Which statement best reflects feminist IR theory?
(A) Gendered assumptions shape security policies and international priorities (B) Gender role in international law ensures equality automatically (C) Gender sensitive economic growth diminishes all foreign policy (D) None of these
19 Woodrow Wilson was proponent of:
(A) Realism (B) Idealism (C) Constructivism (D) Fascism
20 Pakistan shares land and/or maritime borders with ______________ countries.
(A) 3 (B) 4 (C) 5 (D) 6
PART-II
NOTE: (i) Part-II is to be attempted on the separate Answer Book.
(ii) Attempt ONLY FOUR questions from PART-II. ALL questions carry EQUAL marks.
(iii) All the parts (if any) of each Question must be attempted at one place instead of at different places.
(iv) Write Q No. in the Answer Book in accordance with Q No. in the QPaper.
(v) No Page/Space be left blank between the answers. All the blank pages of Answer Book must be crossed.
(vi) Extra attempt of any question or any part of the question will not be considered.
Q No 2 Critically discuss the concept of Balance of Power in light of Hans Morgenthau’s thought. (20)
Q No 3 Evaluate the relevance of the nation-state system in the context of global challenges such as climate change, terrorism, and supranational organizations. (20)
Q No 4 Critically evaluate Theory of Deterrence in Indo-Pakistan context with special reference to May 2025 conflict between the two nuclear armed neighbours. (20)
Q No 5 Analyse how the scope of International Relations has expanded with the rise of non-state actors in global politics. (20)
Q No 6 Evaluate the effectiveness of international law in managing conflicts where there is asymmetry in power dynamics with special reference to Israel-Gaza conflict. (20)
Q No 7 Is bipolarity inherently more stable than multipolarity? Discuss with reference to classical and contemporary IR scholarship. (20)
Q No 8 Comment and contextualize the following statements. (10 each) (20)
(a) Fighting terrorism is like being a goalkeeper, you can make a hundred brilliant saves but the only shot that people remember is the one that gets past you.
(b) State terrorism is the new threat to Global Security.
Answer Key to Q1
1 (B) No single state becomes overwhelmingly powerful, 2 (C) Overlooks the role of ideas, norms, and domestic politics in shaping state behavior, 3 (A) States form alliances to prevent any one state from dominating, 4 (C) Both (A) & (B), 5 (B) Total war mobilizes all societal resources for conflict, 6 (A) Threat of retaliation prevents aggression, 7 (A) Provide legally binding rules governing relations among states, 8 (D) Both (A) & (C), 9 (A) 1956, 10 (C) International Criminal Court, 11 (C) Both (A) & (B), 12 (C) Focuses on long-term development and poverty reduction, 13 (D) None of these, 14 (C) Development of institutionalized cooperation among states and other actors on the basis of regional contiguity as a feature of global politics, 15 (B) 2014, 16 (A) A country mobilizes all its resources to prevent attack, 17 (B) Geography, resources, historical experiences and domestic politics, 18 (A) Gendered assumptions shape security policies and international priorities, 19 (B) Idealism, 20 (C) 5
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